UPDATE- US: Hurricane Matthew downgraded

*UPDATES WITH TURKEY’S FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

ANKARA/NEW YORK (AA) - Hurricane Matthew, which has devastated the Caribbean, was downgraded Saturday to a Category 1 storm as it continues to hit southeastern U.S. states.

After leaving utter destruction in its wake in Haiti, where it killed nearly 900 people, the Atlantic storm appeared to slow down as the U.S. National Hurricane Center lowered its classification from Category 3 to 2 and eventually 1, which denotes sustained winds of less than 85 miles per hour (137 kilometers).

At least four people died in Florida before the eyewall of the storm moved northward to Georgia and South Carolina, where it continues to cause powerful winds, storm surges and heavy downpour.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also released a statement on Saturday saying Turkey was ready to help.

“In case of need, Turkey is ready to provide assistance to those countries that are hit by a natural disaster,” the statement said.