Hurricane Dorian intensifies as Florida preps for an 'absolute monster'

Hurricane Dorian is expected to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm on Friday as it heads towards the US mainland.

It's expected to hit Florida even harder than previously thought, with winds of at least 178 km/h. 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expanded a state of emergency to prepare for Hurricane Dorian, which is set to make landfall on the Atlantic coast early Monday as a dangerous Category 4 storm.

US President Donald Trump described the storm as "an absolute monster" in a video posted on Twitter.

He also cancelled a visit to Poland in order to monitor relief measures and announced that Vice President Mike Pence would go in his place.