Hurricane Michael is expected to pound parts of Florida with 80 mph winds as citizens prepare for the worst.
The highest forecast wind gusts from Michael will be in the eastern eyewall as the Category 2 hurricane makes landfall — forecasters expect it to sustain 140 mph wind gusts right along the coast. Some of that energy will dissipate once the storm arrives over land.
The entire Florida Panhandle from Pensacola to Tallahassee, including Interstate 10, will see gusts between 50 and 80 mph. Tree damage will also be considerable, according to meteorologist Ryan Maue of weathermodels.com.
Highest forecast wind gusts from #HurricaneMichael will be in Eastern eyewall as landfall occurs … up to 140 mph gust right along coast.
Even with land friction, entire FL panhandle from Pensacola to Tallahassee including Interstate 10 will see 50-80 mph+ gusts = tree damage. pic.twitter.com/6ZmmLVNAHT
— Ryan Maue | weathermodels.com (@RyanMaue) October 9, 2018
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a state of emergency ahead of Michael as the storm prepares to hit the mainland Wednesday.
The Republican encouraged citizens Monday to take necessary precautions ahead of the storm. Michael was previously considered a tropical storm until late Monday morning when the National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded the storm to a hurricane.
Officials warn #HurricaneMichael could be “the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades.” https://t.co/7McS73apk4 pic.twitter.com/09DfJPRwVG
— ABC News (@ABC) October 9, 2018
“Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades,” Scott told reporters Monday. “Remember, this storm could grow stronger and be a Category 3 hitting our state. This storm will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous.” (RELATED: 400,000 People Without Power As Florence Slams The Carolinas)
Florida should expect heavy rainfall and dangerous winds increasing throughout the northeastern gulf coast, according to the NHC. The massive storm will travel across the eastern gulf Tuesday and move inland over the Florida Panhandle Wednesday, the NHC reported.
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