Tropical storm Hermine has made landfall in northern Florida, becoming the first hurricane to hit the state in 11 years.

Hermine hit the Florida Gulf Coast early on Friday as a category one hurricane, bringing with it a heavy storm surge.

Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 51 counties as residents were braced for the dangerous storm.

Wind gusts reached 80mph (130km/h), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Two hours after making landfall, as it moved inland, Hermine was downgraded to a tropical storm, the National Weather Service said.