Hurricane Idalia is moving towards Florida with officials warning of potential destruction and risk to life.

In Cuba, thousands evacuated towns along the island’s west coast as Idalia brought intense rain and winds on Monday.

Now, about 14 million people in Florida are under hurricane and weather warnings.

The National Hurricane Centre says the center of Idalia is forecast to move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico today, reach the Gulf coast of Florida on Wednesday, and move close to the Carolina coastline on Thursday.

The hurricane is packing maximum sustained winds of 120km/h.

US President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for the state in preparation for landfall, while Governor Ron DeSantis, has declared a state of emergency in dozens of counties.

(Photo credit: National Hurricane Centre)