People in Haiti are being urged to leave their homes as Hurricane Mathew makes landfall this afternoon.
Parts of the Caribbean are braced for the potentially catastrophic storm - which has already claimed 4 lives.
With dawn breaking around now, winds are beginning to pick up with 40 inches of rain expected.
Cameras outside the space station captured dramatic views of major Hurricane Matthew as the orbital complex flew 250 miles above (speed x4). pic.twitter.com/nfAQuw2OQC
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) October 3, 2016
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and people are still living in tents following the disatrous earthquake in 2010. Officials have been urging shantytown residents to move to shelters; some have gone but many others have refused, fearing their already limited possessions may be stolen.
The Haitian government has closed schools and two airports to be used as shelters until tomorrow.
Heavy rain and winds have already hit parts of Jamaica, with floodwaters blocking roads in the capital Kingston.
Hurricane Mathew is predicted to hit the US east coast later in the week with Florida and parts of North Carolina declaring states of emergency.
Kim Buckley has this report:
