Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday asked the nation for prayers as Hurricane Irma hit the Florida Keys with ferocious winds near 130 mph.
In remarks to ABC News anchor David Muir, the Republican executive said he stood ready "to do everything I can to protect every citizen," declaring: "Every person in this state is important to us."
"I know a lot of people around the world want to help," Scott said. "The biggest thing you can do now is pray."
Irma's northern eyewall hit the Florida Keys just after 7 a.m. ET. The National Hurricane Center said as almost 500,000 lost power across mainland Florida.