This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45806599
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Michael: Category four storm lashes Florida coast | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| US officials say it is too late to flee from the path of Hurricane Michael - a category four storm - and are warning those that stay to shelter in place. | US officials say it is too late to flee from the path of Hurricane Michael - a category four storm - and are warning those that stay to shelter in place. |
| The storm made landfall north-west of Mexico beach on Florida's Gulf Coast, and is expected to be the largest storm to hit the region in 100 years. | |
| Florida Governor Rick Scott warned citizens of "unimaginable devastation". | Florida Governor Rick Scott warned citizens of "unimaginable devastation". |
| At least 13 people reportedly died in Central America over the weekend as a result of storm rains and floods. | At least 13 people reportedly died in Central America over the weekend as a result of storm rains and floods. |
| The storm has sustained winds of 150mph (240km/h) and is due to make landfall and then quickly move up the US East Coast. | |
| In their latest advisory, the National Hurricane Center warned coastal residents "not to venture out into the relative calm of the eye, as hazardous winds will increase very quickly as the eye passes". | |
| More than 370,000 people in Florida have been ordered to evacuate and move to higher ground, but officials estimate that far fewer have actually left. | More than 370,000 people in Florida have been ordered to evacuate and move to higher ground, but officials estimate that far fewer have actually left. |
| "Do not leave your house," Florida Governor Rick Scott said on Wednesday. | "Do not leave your house," Florida Governor Rick Scott said on Wednesday. |
| "The worst thing you can do now is leave," he said, adding that those who do "put yourself and your family in danger". | "The worst thing you can do now is leave," he said, adding that those who do "put yourself and your family in danger". |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Brock Long was even more stark in his warning. | Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Brock Long was even more stark in his warning. |
| Those people "who stick around and experience storm surge unfortunately don't usually live to tell about it," he said, adding that they put first responders at risk as well. | Those people "who stick around and experience storm surge unfortunately don't usually live to tell about it," he said, adding that they put first responders at risk as well. |
| In a meeting at the White House, Mr Long told the president that he is especially concerned about buildings that were built before 2001, and are not able to withstand category three winds. | |
| "We just hope those the structures can hold up. And if not, that they're not in those structures," Mr Trump responded. | |
| Florida has declared a state of emergency, as have Alabama and Georgia. | Florida has declared a state of emergency, as have Alabama and Georgia. |
| Images on social media show scenes of flooding and wind damage. | Images on social media show scenes of flooding and wind damage. |
| What are the latest developments? | What are the latest developments? |
| In a 11:00 (15:00 GMT) bulletin, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Michael was about 40 miles (65km) from panama City, Florida. | In a 11:00 (15:00 GMT) bulletin, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Michael was about 40 miles (65km) from panama City, Florida. |
| It warned of a life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and heavy rainfall along the north-eastern Gulf coast. | It warned of a life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and heavy rainfall along the north-eastern Gulf coast. |
| Michael, it added, could see some additional strengthening before it made landfall in the Florida Panhandle - a strip of land bordering the Gulf of Mexico - or the Big Bend area to its east. | Michael, it added, could see some additional strengthening before it made landfall in the Florida Panhandle - a strip of land bordering the Gulf of Mexico - or the Big Bend area to its east. |
| The NHC warns that some regions of Florida may experience storm surges of up to 14ft (4m). | The NHC warns that some regions of Florida may experience storm surges of up to 14ft (4m). |
| And "life-threatening" flash floods may occur as a result of up to 12in (30cm) of rain. | And "life-threatening" flash floods may occur as a result of up to 12in (30cm) of rain. |
| On the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, category four includes winds of up to 156mph with possible severe damage to even well-built homes and trees being felled. | On the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, category four includes winds of up to 156mph with possible severe damage to even well-built homes and trees being felled. |
| Schools and state offices in the area are to remain shut this week. | Schools and state offices in the area are to remain shut this week. |
| On Wednesday, Gov Scott said he had activated 3,500 Florida National Guard troops. | On Wednesday, Gov Scott said he had activated 3,500 Florida National Guard troops. |
| Heavy rains are forecast for the Carolinas, which were drenched by Hurricane Florence last month. | Heavy rains are forecast for the Carolinas, which were drenched by Hurricane Florence last month. |
| North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told residents: "I know people are fatigued from Florence, but don't let this storm catch you with your guard down." | North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told residents: "I know people are fatigued from Florence, but don't let this storm catch you with your guard down." |
| More than 300 miles of coastline are currently under threat, the National Weather Service has said. | More than 300 miles of coastline are currently under threat, the National Weather Service has said. |
| Forecasters in Alabama have warned of possible tornados. | Forecasters in Alabama have warned of possible tornados. |
| Not everyone has fled | Not everyone has fled |
| By BBC's Gary O'Donoghue in Florida | By BBC's Gary O'Donoghue in Florida |
| Driving through the streets of Panama City Beach this morning, there were almost no other cars on the road. Here and there the odd neon sign still glowed, but many houses and businesses were boarded up after an emergency evacuation order. | Driving through the streets of Panama City Beach this morning, there were almost no other cars on the road. Here and there the odd neon sign still glowed, but many houses and businesses were boarded up after an emergency evacuation order. |
| Not everyone though had heeded the instruction. | Not everyone though had heeded the instruction. |
| Dave Jackson, a man who remembers the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in southern Florida 26 years ago, has decided to stay, despite having a home just yards from the beach. | Dave Jackson, a man who remembers the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in southern Florida 26 years ago, has decided to stay, despite having a home just yards from the beach. |
| His house, he says, is built to withstand winds of 150mph and it's just high enough above sea level that the predicted surge may well fall short. | |
| Just along the road, Stacey and Michael Buckner sit in their car, staring out to sea. Their house is two blocks from the water, and they've chosen not to leave because of Michael's elderly parents. | Just along the road, Stacey and Michael Buckner sit in their car, staring out to sea. Their house is two blocks from the water, and they've chosen not to leave because of Michael's elderly parents. |
| For the coming hours, Dave, Michael and Stacey are on their own - the emergency services are staying out of the storm and nature is about to take its course. | For the coming hours, Dave, Michael and Stacey are on their own - the emergency services are staying out of the storm and nature is about to take its course. |
| What cities will be hit hardest? | What cities will be hit hardest? |
| Communities along the Florida panhandle will feel the brunt of the hurricane first, with Tallahassee and Panama City Beach forecast to get over six inches of rain and winds that could reach at least 100mph. | Communities along the Florida panhandle will feel the brunt of the hurricane first, with Tallahassee and Panama City Beach forecast to get over six inches of rain and winds that could reach at least 100mph. |
| Utility lines are expected to be damaged due to falling trees, leading to power outages. | Utility lines are expected to be damaged due to falling trees, leading to power outages. |
| But by Thursday, the storm will move up the coast and skies will clear allowing for "a massive wave of response and support", said Gov Scott. | But by Thursday, the storm will move up the coast and skies will clear allowing for "a massive wave of response and support", said Gov Scott. |
| Southern Georgia will be hit next, with residents there warned to brace for possible flash floods. | Southern Georgia will be hit next, with residents there warned to brace for possible flash floods. |
| Winds will die down as Michael pushes north into the soggy Carolinas with cities Columbia and Charlotte each forecasted to see up to 5in of rain. | Winds will die down as Michael pushes north into the soggy Carolinas with cities Columbia and Charlotte each forecasted to see up to 5in of rain. |
| Local officials warn people in the regions affected by Hurricane Florence last month- even those living far from waterways - to watch for landslides or flash flooding. | Local officials warn people in the regions affected by Hurricane Florence last month- even those living far from waterways - to watch for landslides or flash flooding. |
| Where has Hurricane Michael hit so far? | Where has Hurricane Michael hit so far? |
| According to the Associated Press, six people were killed in Honduras, four in Nicaragua and three in El Salvador. | According to the Associated Press, six people were killed in Honduras, four in Nicaragua and three in El Salvador. |
| Images on social media showed evacuating families wading through water to get to safety. | Images on social media showed evacuating families wading through water to get to safety. |
| Parts of western Cuba, which was hit by the storm on Monday, were forecast to receive up to a foot of rain. | Parts of western Cuba, which was hit by the storm on Monday, were forecast to receive up to a foot of rain. |
| Offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico have evacuated workers, halting nearly a fifth of daily production. | Offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico have evacuated workers, halting nearly a fifth of daily production. |
| Five drilling rigs have been moved out of the storm's path, according to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. | Five drilling rigs have been moved out of the storm's path, according to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. |
| Are you in the affected region? What preparations have you made? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the affected region? What preparations have you made? If it is safe to do so, please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |