Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated Florida and South Carolina on Wednesday as Hurricane Matthew heads toward the United States.

Both states are under hurricane warnings and hurricane watches in 
certain areas, meaning storm conditions are expected within 36 and 48 hours respectively. The National Hurricane Center warned tropical storm 
conditions are expected to reach parts of the Florida coast by early Thursday, and that there may be hurricane conditions in some areas later on.

The National Hurricane Center ranks Hurricane Matthew as a Category 3 hurricane and said it had top sustained winds of 120 mph on Wednesday 
morning. According to USA Today, it is “the most powerful storm to smash through the region in almost a decade.”

National Guardsmen have been called to both states in preparation for the storm.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued mandatory evacuations in certain parts of the state and encouraged residents to have a plan to leave.

“If you made a decision not to leave, we cannot send someone to risk their lives to save yours,” Scott said. “We can rebuild a home. We can rebuild a 
business. We cannot rebuild your life.”

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley made a similar statement, reminding South Carolinians if they do not leave, they are putting at risk the life of the person who has to go and get them.