‘Life threatening’ hurricane Hermine hits Florida’s Gulf coast

The Category One Hurricane Hermine storm made landfall near St Marks, just south of Florida’s capital Tallahassee on Thursday.

Hurricane Hermine swept onto Florida’s Gulf coast early Friday with damaging winds and heavy rains that caused flooding and knocked out power to tens of thousands, with officials warning of “life threatening” conditions.

A man watches the storm surge and winds pick up while checking on his boats as Hurricane Hermine approaches Eastpoint, Florida on Thursday . (AFP)

The Category One storm made landfall around 1.30 am local time (0530 GMT) near St Marks, just south of Florida’s capital Tallahassee with 130 kph winds extending over 70km from the hurricane’s eye, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

A hand painted sign on a boarded up bar is seen as Hurricane Hermine nears the Florida coast on Thursday.

“There is a danger of life-threatening inundation within the next 12 to 24 hours along the Gulf coast of Florida,” it said.