‘Monstrous’ Michael heads for Gulf Coast

With Hurricane Michael rapidly intensifying and threatening to smash Florida’s Panhandle with dangerous storm surge, flooding and winds, Gov. Rick Scott didn’t mince words on Monday night: “Making decisions tomorrow might be too late.” Described by Scott as both “monstrous” and “massive,” Michael could make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of at least 111 mph, according to current projections. It’s forecast to become a major hurricane sometime Tuesday and should make landfall Wednesday afternoon or evening, likely between Pensacola in the far western Panhandle and Apalachicola, directly south of Tallahassee on the coast. “Michael could be one of the worst hurricanes to ever strike the Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle region,” warned Weather Channel hurricane expert Rick Knabb. Michael’s maximum sustained winds increased to 85 mph with higher gusts on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said. “Michael could produce three lifethreatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds,” according to the hurricane center. Because of the storm surge threat, three Florida Panhandle counties issued mandatory evacuation orders. A hurricane warning was posted for the Florida Gulf Coast, all the way from the Alabama-Florida border to the Suwannee River in Florida. A storm surge of up to 12 feet is forecast for a large section of the Florida coast. According to the hurricane center, one potential impact from a Category 3 hurricane is that “electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.” A major hurricane is a Category 5, 4 or 3 hurricane, which has winds of at least 111 mph. If the forecast is correct, Michael would be the 11th major hurricane to hit Florida in October since records

“Michael could be one of the worst hurricanes to ever strike the Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle region.” Rick Knabb Weather Channel hurricane expert

began in 1851, Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach said. Scott declared an emergency in 35 counties and asked President Donald Trump for help. Florida State University announced it will close from Tuesday through Friday this week. “Take this seriously and keep your family safe,” Scott said from Bay County on Monday. “We know that a storm like Michael can be devastating and deadly.” Scott said 500 Florida National Guard members were activated for planning, logistics and response, and 5,000 stood at the ready.

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Hurricane Michael could devastate the Florida Panhandle.