'Take action now to protect your life. You should already be taking cover': Stark warning from US government as Hurricane Irma nears Florida coast bringing tornadoes, tidal surges and 130mph winds

• The devastating Hurricane Irma is moving towards southern Florida with sustained winds of  up to 130mph 
• It was upgraded to a category 4 hurricane as it approached Florida Keys in the early hours of Sunday morning
• Forecasts predict Irma will first make landfall over Key West at about 7am and was 40 miles away at 5am 
• Around 6.3million people have been told to leave their homes in mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders
• The storm has already claimed at least 24 lives across the Caribbean since it took hold earlier in the week
• President Trump urged everyone to follow instructions and said: 'Here comes Irma. God bless everyone' 
• Experts have warned that 'catastrophic' and 'life threatening' storm surges could reach up to 15ft  in Key West
• Are you caught up in Hurricane Irma? If so, email [email protected] or call 020 3615 0685 

Hurricane Irma has been upgraded to a category 4 storm just hours before it was set to make landfall in Florida.

The hurricane pounded southern Florida on Saturday afternoon, bringing tornadoes and threats of 15ft storm surges as emergency officials told those who had ignored evacuation orders that it was too late.  

The National Hurricane Center said at midnight that Irma's projected path continued to shift to the west, just a few crucial miles, which should keep its eye just off Florida's west coast on a track to hit St. Petersburg, not Miami or even Tampa.

It was upgraded to a category 4 hurricane at 2am Sunday as it approached Florida Keys and by 5am the eye of the storm was a mere 40 miles from the group of island's main attraction Key West.

Forecasts predict Irma will first make landfall over Key West at about 7am with winds of up to 130mph, though with the storm travelling between 6mph and 8mph the eye of the storm is expected to be a little later this morning.

Donald Trump sent a message to those caught up in the brutal hurricane, saying: 'This is a storm of enormous destructive power, and I ask everyone in the storm’s path to heed all instructions from government officials.

'The US Coast Guard, FEMA and all Federal and State brave people are ready. Here comes Irma. God bless everyone.' 

Irma's outer bands pummeled Miami and parts of southeast Florida on Saturday afternoon. Two tornadoes hit Broward County after the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch.

There is also a deadly threat of 15ft storm surges with residents being urged not to return home given the enormous outer bands.  

'Fifteen feet is devastating and will cover your house,' governor Rick Scott said on Saturday. 'Do not think the storm is over when the wind slows down. The storm surge will rush in and it could kill you.' 

At 5.40am, the National Weather Service in Key West issued a stark warning to the city's residents, saying: 'Extreme, hurricane-force winds are imminent in the Lower Florida Keys. If you are here, please go to interior room away from windows.

'Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter. Take action now to protect your life. You should already be taking cover.' 

Thousands took shelter at the Germain Arena in Estero, Florida on Saturday night as Irma inched closer to the state

The National Weather Service had earlier warned that tornadoes were commonly spawned by a hurricane and could could damage far away from the center of the hurricane, while storm surges could cause more fatalities than any other hurricane hazard.

The latest update from the National Weather service indicated there were wind gusts 'near hurricane strength' - about 79mph - recorded in the Florida Keys.

Around 6.3million people have been told to evacuate in anticipation of Irma and there are 70,000 people in evacuation shelters across Florida. The state said Saturday that more than 400 shelters are open, mostly in schools, churches and community centers.

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