MIAMI, Florida (AP) — Florida Governor Rick Scott says the state could be facing its “biggest evacuation ever” because Hurricane Matthew is threatening almost the entire Atlantic coast of Florida.

Scott said Wednesday he didn’t know how many people would be ordered to evacuate because it is left up to the counties, but he says every county along the coast is focused on it and has been preparing.

So far, only Brevard and Martin counties have issued mandatory evacuation orders.

Hurricane Matthew is barreling over the Bahamas and taking aim at Florida. The center of the storm is expected to arrive near the Florida coast on Thursday night. The Category 3 storm has winds of 120 mph. Florida hasn’t been hit by a storm this powerful in more than a decade.

Officials in Broward County are asking some 150,000 residents who live in low-lying areas, mobile homes or along the coastline to evacuate before Hurricane Matthew approaches South Florida.

Broward County Mayor Marty Kiar said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon that nine shelters will open at area schools about 9:00 pm.

Kiar also asked tourists to either stay in their hotels, with family or friends or go to a shelter. He says the airport will have a number of flight delays and cancellations and reminded anyone with a flight to check with the airline for more information.

The mayor also says the county’s 311 information hotline is now open 24/7 and is available for anyone with questions about the storm.

He also announced that all parks and libraries will close at 5:00 pm Wednesday and all governmental offices are closed Thursday and Friday.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The beach town of Folly Beach on the South Carolina coast southwest of Charleston is closed to everyone except residents and essential personnel.

Police at a checkpoint at the bridge leading onto the island are turning back visitors and sightseers. But several pickup trucks could be seen carrying plywood onto the island. Several businesses in town and on the road leading from the mainland are boarded up.

The barrier island is subject to erosion and its beaches and a county park at Folly have been heavily damaged in storms in years past.

GEORGIA

Roughly 30,000 people living in island communities near Savannah are being urged to evacuate as Hurricane Matthew approaches.

Al Scott, chairman of the Chatham County Commission, told a news conference Wednesday the local evacuation order affects Tybee Island and other low-lying areas east of Savannah. That area accounts for roughly 11 per cent of Chatham County’s 278,000 residents.

Scott said local officials are mostly concerned about the potential for several feet of storm surge along the coast and coastal waterways. Strong winds from Matthew are expected to arrive in the area Friday night, with the center of the storm passing Saturday.

Coastal Georgia hasn’t seen a large scale hurricane evacuation since Hurricane Floyd passed in 1999. Earlier Wednesday, Coastal Glynn County called for a voluntary evacuation of about 17,000 residents.