The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said the centre of Hurricane Matthew is very close to the coast of central Florida.

Officials said the hurricane is about 45 miles east-southeast of Daytona Beach with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph.

Although Matthew is forecast to weaken during the next 48 hours, it is expected to be a category 3 hurricane when it arrives at the Florida coast.

President Obama has declared a state of emergency in Florida and South Carolina.

At least 478 people have died in Haiti as a result of the hurricane which has left a trail of destruction across the country.