(Image source from: Free Press Journal)

Hurricane Michael, the violent storm slammed into Florida coast on Wednesday has killed one person in Northern Florida, said an official in Gadsden County West of the state capital Tallahassee, giving the first confirmed death from the powerful storm.

There is "one hurricane-related fatality," said Olivia Smith, public information officer for the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, adding that the incident was "debris-related. There was a tree involved." She could not say what time the death took place or give any inside information regarding the victim.

Smith said the situation was dangerous even for emergency personnel. "We've been very cautious with sending our first responders out right now," she said after Michael made landfall as a violent Category 4 hurricane that toppled trees and power lines.

Hurricane Michael turns to be the most powerful storm to hit the southern state of the United States in more than a century as officials warned it could wreak "unimaginable devastation".  

Michael made landfall as a monstrous Category 4 storm near Mexico Beach, a town or so 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Panama City, about 1:00 pm Eastern time (1700 GMT), the National Hurricane Center said.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday: "We are very well prepared for the incoming hurricane."

The storm caused widespread devastation in Central America over the weekend, where at least 13 people have been reported dead.

Florida Governor Rick Scott named Michael "a monstrous storm" and advised residents to listen to officials.

By Sowmya Sangam