Miami, October 8 (RHC)-- At least four people are dead in the U.S. state of Florida after Hurricane Matthew has battered the U.S. state's east coast, leaving many without power. 

The hurricane, which left hundreds dead in Haiti and other Caribbean nations, reached Florida on Thursday and wreaked havoc on homes and other structures with wind gusts up to 100 mph. 

On Thursday, U.S. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Florida and ordered federal aid to supplement response efforts.  Obama warned residents to be cautious, given the storm surge threat. "Remember Sandy," Obama said, "when people thought it wasn't as bad as we thought and suddenly we got a massive storm surge."