Miami, September 4 (RHC)-- Hurricane Dorian swept past Florida Wednesday on a collision course with the Carolinas, claiming its first life in the U.S. and promising heavy rains, powerful winds and damaging surge.

The historic storm had technically diminished to Category 2 but actually had grown in size following its devastating roll through the Bahamas.  Dorian was about 100 miles northeast of Daytona Beach early Wednesday driving 105 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center said.

More than one million coastal residents from Florida to North Carolina were facing evacuation orders.  "Leave now if you are in an area where an evacuation has been ordered," North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper urged.  "It is not worth putting your life or the life of first responders at risk."

Cooper said an 85-year-old man fell to his death from a ladder while preparing his Columbus County home for the storm. At least seven deaths have been linked to Dorian in the Bahamas.

Federal emergency declarations have been approved for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Gov. Ralph Northam declared an emergency in his state as well. 

Parts of the Florida coast were experiencing heavy rains and winds Wednesday. The center of Dorian was forecast to move near or over the coast of South Carolina and North Carolina Thursday through Friday morning.

Areas of the coast could see a foot of rain and several feet of storm surge, the hurricane center warned.  The tropical-storm-force wind field has expanded up to 175 miles from the center, with hurricane-force winds stretching 60 miles, AccuWeather warned. AccuWeather Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said Dorian could draw within 30 miles of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – and possibly make landfall there – late Thursday.