'Life-threatening' Hurricane Hermine makes landfall on Florida coast

Hurricane Hermine gained strength as it roared towards Florida's Gulf Coast, as residents were warned to flee inland if necessary amid a "life-threatening situation".

Update 7.10am: Hurricane Hermine has made landfall in Florida's Gulf coast just east of St Marks with 80mph winds.

It is the first hurricane to directly strike the Sunshine State in more than a decade, roaring in from the north-west Gulf Coast with 80mph (129kph) winds and heavy rain.