"This is a life-threatening situation," Florida Governor Rick Scott said before the Category One storm reached the coast at about 1.30 a.m. local time (0530 UTC), just south of the state capital, Tallahassee. "It`s going to be a lot of risk. Right now, I want everybody to be safe."
Scott has declared a state of emergency in 51 counties and warned that anyone in the storm`s path must have emergency essentials in case of power cuts for days or even weeks.
`Residents must leave`
The state of Florida declared mandatory evacuations in the counties of Dixie, Franklin, Taylor, Wakulla and Levy, along with voluntary evacuations in at least three other counties.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center predicted life-threatening surges and flooding rains.
"Winds are already near tropical storm strength in portions of the warning area, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous," the NHC said. "Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion."
Forecasters said the storm could create a 3.6-meter (12-feet) ocean surge and dump as much as 51 centimeters (20 inches) of rain in some parts of the state.
Around 6,000 National Guardsmen in Florida are ready to mobilize after the storm passes, officials said.
The governors of neighboring Georgia and North Carolina also declared emergencies, as the storm is expected to move up the coast after lashing Florida.
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