Pray for Florida: How people are showing solidarity online as Hurricane Matthew nears
SOCIAL media users around the world are posting #PrayForFlorida as Hurricane Matthew bears down on the East Coast.
There has been a huge outpouring of support on Twitter as Americans living in Florida prepare for the worst today.
The eye of the Hurricane Matthew is on track to pass very close to Florida but it could come ashore and cause devastation.
About one and a half million people have been ordered to evacuate from risk areas near the Florida's coast before it is too late.
Maimi's National Hurricane Center warned: “If you are one of ~1.5 million people in Florida under evacuation instructions, leave those storm surge areas and mobile homes now!”
One young woman Nicole Trio, from Florida, wrote a heartfelt plea addressed to the ferocious hurricane.
She tweeted: “Dear Hurricane Matthew,
“Please don't destroy my house and put my family through hell like Hurricane Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne did.”
Aldair Hernandez, also from Florida, posted: “We don't know what is coming our way. We're hoping for the best but expecting the worst #prayforflorida.”
We were just informed that the #eyeofthestorm will be approximately 20 miles away from my family.... #PrayForFlorida #HurricaneMatthew
— Dr. LeeAnn Roberts (@DrLeeAnnRoberts) October 6, 2016
Still processing that my small beautiful town probably won't look the same when this hurricane is over. Be safe everyone ❤️ #PrayForFlorida
— Camden Rodgers (@virtualcamden) October 6, 2016
Sending positive thoughts to my followers in #HurricaneMatthew's path. Please stay safe! #PrayForFlorida ������������
— AJ - #ImWithHer (@heyandrewjoel) October 6, 2016
Florida residents prepare for Hurricane Matthew to strike
Taylor Cope added: “Big hurricane heading towards my home town in Florida. We need all the prayers we can get. Please pray for Florida. #PrayForFlorida.”
Many family members and friends abroad are thinking of loved ones in Florida and have also sent their best wishes across the world.
Another Twitter user posted: “Shortage of bottled water and gas are now experienced in Florida. Keep Safe to my Family there xx #PrayForFlorida.”
I hope my family in Florida will be safe during the hurricane. ������ #PrayForFlorida
— Kira Nicøle (@ksim24) October 6, 2016
I feel like no one was/is prepared for what's gonna happen #PrayForFlorida
— Alyssa Lozoya������ (@alozoya13) October 6, 2016
Good luck, Florida. #prayforflorida
— Edgar Field (@iEXD_RBLX) October 6, 2016
praying that everyone back home will be safe! #prayforflorida #prayforjamaica
— Bryceeeyyy (@thatkidbryce) October 6, 2016
Omg I'm so SCARED of hurricane Matthew its coming into orange county where I stay at 80 or more miles per hour #prayforflorida������������
— JUSTIN BIEBER FAN09 (@JAHJAH4LIFE) October 6, 2016
Other people have expressed solidarity after seeing the hurricane's trail of destruction and news reports about the threat to lives.
Hannah Perry, from England, tweeted: “Just heard about hurricane Matthew in florida area i hope everyone is safe #HurricaneMatthew #PrayForFlorida.”
After devastation across the Caribbean there are also hashtags #PrayForBahamas, #PrayForCuba, #PrayForHaiti and #PrayForJamaica.
The hashtag #HurricaneMatthew has also been trending for days as the powerful hurricane battered the Caribbean islands in the Atlantic.
Looking further ahead, there could soon be trending hashtags #PrayForGeorgia and #PrayForSouthCarolina.
Hurricane Matthew looks set to travel north towards these states but it could turn left out to sea before getting there.