A hurricane, likely to be the strongest in the region for a century, has smashed into Florida with 200km winds and fears for people’s safety.

Strong gusts. heavy rain still expected in Florida Panhandle, parts of Alabama and Georgia

US states in the Gulf of Mexico are again on a state of alert as Hurricane Nate heads towards them.

y dawn Friday, the tropical storm was 20 miles west of Valdosta, Georgia, and moving north at 14 mph, according to the hurricane center.