Florida Governor: 'Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.' ... Hurricane Matthew nears US

MIAMI (AP):
Governor Rick Scott is warning Florida residents living in evacuation zones to "get out".

Scott was in Stuart on Thursday afternoon to address concerns as powerful Hurricane Matthew barreled toward Florida.

He said anyone living in low-lying areas or on barrier islands should "evacuate, evacuate, evacuate." He says tolls have been lifted on all roadways to help make evacuations easier. Scott says more than 1.5 million people are living in evacuation zones.

Remarking that "this is game day," Scott warned people to stay off beaches up and down Florida's Atlantic coastline Thursday, adding that "no one needs to be on the beach doing anything."

The governor has activated another 1,000 National Guard members, bringing the total to 2,500. He says they'll be available to help with evacuations and getting people to shelters.