Albury’s Gary Wright and daughter Mikaila are hunkered down in Orlando, Florida, to wait out Hurricane Irma. 

“[The governor’s] warning has been stay out of it or you will die,” he said.

“The only thing we can do now is pray.”

Mr Wright said their sunny vacation and Bahamas Cruise took a sudden dark turn with news Irma’s eye was headed for Orlando. 

“The weather here has been great for the first few days. It has been raining all day today though,” he said.

“The locals here seem to be very organised but it didn't take long for bottled water to be sold out.

“The local supermarket here next to the Summer Bay resort sold 2000 bottles in 10 minutes. We went to five places before we could get any, and petrol is virtually sold out.”

Mr Wright and his daughter are holed up in their resort, with the hurricane due to hit Orlando about 2am, 4pm Australian Eastern Standard time.

He said although severe winds were predicted, they had been notified emergency services would not respond due to the incredible risk. 

Mr Wright said two police officers had already died in Miami. 

Despite it all, Mr Wright said those who remain were in good spirits.

“Mikaila and I have stocked up on food and water,” he said.

“It was eerie driving into Orlando central earlier and finding it deserted.

“The general feeling I get from the community is that they are prepared and there is a good community spirit.

“Every where we go people are telling us to stay safe.”