Hurricane Michael strengthened to a Category 2 storm with winds over 100 miles per hour on Tuesday as Florida's governor warned it could bring "total devastation" to parts of the southern US state. The storm - currently located over the Gulf of Mexico - is sweeping toward the Florida coast at around 12 miles (19 kilometers) per hour and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon, bringing with it "life threatening" storm surges and heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center said.
"It is a monstrous storm and the forecast (keeps) getting more dangerous," said Florida Governor Rick Scott, who has activated 2,500 members of the National Guard in response. "The time to prepare is now." It "poses a deadly threat and as it grows stronger, we can expect it to make landfall as a major Category 3 storm," said Scott, warning that it "could bring total devastation to parts of our state, especially in the panhandle."
A hurricane warning was up across the Florida panhandle, a low-lying area of beachfront resorts and retirement communities on the northeastern Gulf coast, and a state of emergency has been declared in 35 of the state's counties. A mandatory evacuation for Bay County, located in the panhandle, affects some 120,000 residents, Sheriff Tommy Ford said.
Forecasters warned of coastal flooding, with storm surge and tides projected to raise water levels by as much as eight to 12 feet (2.5 to 3.5 meters) in some areas. Rainfall of four to eight inches (10 to 20 centimeters), and as much as a foot in isolated areas, "could lead to life-threatening flash floods," according to the NHC, which also warned that the storm's approach could spawn tornados in northwestern Florida.
Michael was forecast to have the power to uproot trees, block roads and knock out power for days by the time it hits Florida. It is expected to weaken as it moves up into the southeastern United States. Televised images showed long lines at gas stations and residents hurrying to fill sandbags, while tolls were suspended on some roads to aid movement ahead of the storm's landfall.