Miami and Tampa under hurricane attack as hurricane hit florida

Large parts of Florida remain at risk from potentially life-threatening storm surges after Hurricane Irma tore a devastating path through the state, with roof-ripping winds and gushing floodwaters leaving millions without power.

The "monster" hurricane measuring more than 400 miles wide was downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday afternoon - with its maximum winds decreasing to around 70mph - as it moved over Florida towards southern Georgia.

As Irma carved north through the state after battering Miami, Tampa and other urban areas, the full extent of its destructive march remained unclear as many communication lines had been cut.