US: Deadly Hurricane Matthew set to make landfall

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

Southern Florida largely escaped the worst of Hurricane Matthew on Friday morning as the storm winds northward, but authorities have urged residents in its path not to take the dangers lightly.

One death was reported overnight as President Barack Obama urged Americans to “pay attention to what your local officials are telling you” after meeting with top officials at the White House.

Obama warned that like Hurricane Sandy, most damage will likely occur from the ensuing storm surge, or rising ocean levels.

Later Friday, he declared a state of emergency in North Carolina, bringing the total to four states under such declarations, including South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

More than 2 million people have fled their homes as the storm advances on the southeastern U.S.

Matthew has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm, but is still considered a major hurricane. The eyewall of the storm is closely following the eastern Florida coast as it moves north-northwest with sustained winds hitting 120 mph (193 kph).

Landfall may occur sometime early Saturday.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley warned residents who have yet to evacuate to quickly get to a shelter.

Meanwhile the death toll continues to rise in Haiti where hundreds have died in the ongoing catastrophe.

Thousands more have been displaced in a country that has yet to fully recover from a devastating 2010 earthquake.

Four other victims have been recovered in neighboring Dominican Republic.

The U.S. has committed $16 billion to recovery efforts that are being led by USAID and the Pentagon, according to the White House.

There are currently 150 American personnel in Haiti, and spokesman Eric Schultz said that number is likely to grow to a couple hundred over the weekend "weather permitting".

U.S. military personnel are "distributing food and water, making sure assets can move, assisting with transportation", he said.