More than 50,000 people in Florida have sought shelter in schools, community centres and churches as Hurricane Irma closes in on the state.
The government-sponsored shelters were open Saturday as officials warned 6.3 million Floridians to leave.
The storm was expected to make landfall in Florida on Sunday.
Those with nowhere to turn headed to the shelters while others sought lodging at hotels or with friends and family.
Red Cross shelter co-ordinator Steve Bayer said most people at shelters are grateful and happy.
Gov. Rick Scott urged anyone living in an evacuation zone in southwest Florida to leave by noon Saturday as the threat of Hurricane Irma shifted west.
The storm is "going to go faster than you are,'' Scott said Saturday morning.
"These winds are coming.''
Scott said 25,000 people in Florida already lost electricity as feeder bands began hitting the area.
The governor also warned of dangerous storm surge of between 6 feet, (2 metres), and 12 feet, (4 metres), across parts of Florida.
"This will cover your house,'' Scott said.
The White House said President Donald Trump and his Cabinet are receiving regular updates on Hurricanes Irma and Jose as they meet at the Camp David presidential retreat.
Elaine Duke, the acting homeland security secretary, was scheduled to provide a full briefing to the president and the rest of his team.
The White House added Trump and first lady Melania Trump are keeping everyone who has been affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in their thoughts and prayers.
They're also urging the public to closely follow safety advice from local authorities.
The president and first lady invited all Cabinet members and their spouses to the Maryland retreat for the weekend.
Meantime, Cuban officials said Hurricane Irma has damaged crops in the rural eastern part of the country.
Civil Defence official Gergorio Torres told reporters that authorities are still trying to tally the extent of the damage in Las Tunas province and nearby areas.
He said damage seems to have been concentrated in infrastructure for crops, including bananas.
Eastern Cuba is home to the island's poor, rural population.
Once known for sugarcane and other crops, the agricultural industry was declining even before the hurricane.
Video images from northern and eastern Cuba show utility poles and signs uprooted by the storm and many downed trees as well as extensive damage to roofs.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.