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Hurricane Michael makes landfall: Florida homes fully submerged – live Hurricane Michael makes landfall: Florida homes fully submerged – live
(35 minutes later)
President Trump has continued campaigning for the midterms despite the hurricane. He’s been at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania and said it would have been “very unfair” to cancel the event for his supporters.
ABC anchor David Muir has posted a video from his hotel room in Panama City, Florida, where he says the wind blew out a window.
View from my room. Window blew out - stunning flooding. Panama City. #hurricanemichael2018 pic.twitter.com/wybgoSQ1R7
FEMA are reminding people to find safe places to shelter as the hurricane heads inland towards Georgia where falling trees could pose a danger in strong winds.FEMA are reminding people to find safe places to shelter as the hurricane heads inland towards Georgia where falling trees could pose a danger in strong winds.
It’s extremely important to keep sheltering in a safe place and to stay aware as #Michael continues to move inland! https://t.co/pGvp1bzxalIt’s extremely important to keep sheltering in a safe place and to stay aware as #Michael continues to move inland! https://t.co/pGvp1bzxal
Here’s a video that shows the hurricane’s devastating power. Hurricane Hunters shot a video above the eye of the storm earlier today.Here’s a video that shows the hurricane’s devastating power. Hurricane Hunters shot a video above the eye of the storm earlier today.
A pilot’s view of the eye wall of #HurricaneMichael from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter mission today. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Sean Cross, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot.) pic.twitter.com/df6Ll3nLz0A pilot’s view of the eye wall of #HurricaneMichael from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter mission today. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Sean Cross, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot.) pic.twitter.com/df6Ll3nLz0
Hello to wherever you’re joining us from. I’m Patrick Greenfield and I’m taking over coverage from Erin.Hello to wherever you’re joining us from. I’m Patrick Greenfield and I’m taking over coverage from Erin.
Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful storm to ever hit the US mainland, has made landfall in Florida. Videos on social media show hug waves and widespread damage along the Gulf of Mexico coastline in the state.Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful storm to ever hit the US mainland, has made landfall in Florida. Videos on social media show hug waves and widespread damage along the Gulf of Mexico coastline in the state.
Here are two more eye-popping images of #HurricaneMichael seen from #GOESEast today. Left image shows the Cat. 4 #hurricane making landfall. Right image shows Michael's precipitation shield at 3:30 pm ET as the storm began moving inland. Latest: https://t.co/4ehlTVpig1 pic.twitter.com/RMme5qVWJ1Here are two more eye-popping images of #HurricaneMichael seen from #GOESEast today. Left image shows the Cat. 4 #hurricane making landfall. Right image shows Michael's precipitation shield at 3:30 pm ET as the storm began moving inland. Latest: https://t.co/4ehlTVpig1 pic.twitter.com/RMme5qVWJ1
I’ll be posting developments as nighttime falls in the areas affected by the storm.I’ll be posting developments as nighttime falls in the areas affected by the storm.
Hurricane Michael has been downgraded to a category 3 hurricane and its eye is now approaching southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia.Hurricane Michael has been downgraded to a category 3 hurricane and its eye is now approaching southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia.
The storm is moving at 16 mph as of 4pm, according to the National Hurricane Center, and its sustained winds are at 125mph.The storm is moving at 16 mph as of 4pm, according to the National Hurricane Center, and its sustained winds are at 125mph.
Michael is expected to move across southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia through Wednesday evening.Michael is expected to move across southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia through Wednesday evening.
Lifeguards had to save three children who were playing in the water at a South Carolina beach as the storm approached, the Associated Press reported.Lifeguards had to save three children who were playing in the water at a South Carolina beach as the storm approached, the Associated Press reported.
A 15-year-old and two 9-year-olds were playing on boogie boards off Hilton Head Island around 12:15pm when waves whipped up by the storm pulled them away from shore, according to Beaufort County Emergency Management Division Commander Neil Baxley.A 15-year-old and two 9-year-olds were playing on boogie boards off Hilton Head Island around 12:15pm when waves whipped up by the storm pulled them away from shore, according to Beaufort County Emergency Management Division Commander Neil Baxley.
Responders were able to safely rescue the kids.Responders were able to safely rescue the kids.
The number of households without power is now up to 118,789, according to Gulf Power.The number of households without power is now up to 118,789, according to Gulf Power.
That’s more than a quarter of the total customers in the service area.That’s more than a quarter of the total customers in the service area.
Officials say crews will work to restore power as soon as possible, but cannot start while the storm continues to rage.Officials say crews will work to restore power as soon as possible, but cannot start while the storm continues to rage.
With its 155mph winds at landfall, Hurricane Michael is the strongest storm to hit the continental US since Hurricane Andrew devastated south Florida in 1992.With its 155mph winds at landfall, Hurricane Michael is the strongest storm to hit the continental US since Hurricane Andrew devastated south Florida in 1992.
History is made. #Michael pic.twitter.com/yomz0Zq70MHistory is made. #Michael pic.twitter.com/yomz0Zq70M
Radar data indicate that the eye of Michael is now moving inland over portions of Jackson County in the Florida Panhandle and is nearing Interstate 10, according to the National Hurricane Center.Radar data indicate that the eye of Michael is now moving inland over portions of Jackson County in the Florida Panhandle and is nearing Interstate 10, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm has weakened only slightly as it moves over land, with sustained winds at 140 mph.The storm has weakened only slightly as it moves over land, with sustained winds at 140 mph.
Life-threatening storm surge and catastrophic winds continue, the center says.Life-threatening storm surge and catastrophic winds continue, the center says.
Florida is prepared to deploy 1 million gallons of water, 1.5 million Meals Ready-to-Eat and 400,000 pounds of ice to aid storm victims, Gov. Rick Scott said.Florida is prepared to deploy 1 million gallons of water, 1.5 million Meals Ready-to-Eat and 400,000 pounds of ice to aid storm victims, Gov. Rick Scott said.
A downed tree limb broke through a window and hit a woman in the head in Franklin County, Florida, the county’s sheriff said.A downed tree limb broke through a window and hit a woman in the head in Franklin County, Florida, the county’s sheriff said.
Sheriff AJ Smith told CNN authorities received a 911 call about the injury, but ambulances had evacuated and were not able to respond. Officials in multiple jurisdictions had previously warned that emergency services would be unavailable at the height of the storm.Sheriff AJ Smith told CNN authorities received a 911 call about the injury, but ambulances had evacuated and were not able to respond. Officials in multiple jurisdictions had previously warned that emergency services would be unavailable at the height of the storm.
“We had no EMS to go treat her,” Smith said. “City police did the best they could.”“We had no EMS to go treat her,” Smith said. “City police did the best they could.”
The woman’s condition was not clear.The woman’s condition was not clear.
Power is out across Franklin County, and many large trees are down, the sheriff said.Power is out across Franklin County, and many large trees are down, the sheriff said.
There’s severe damage in Mexico Beach, Florida near where the hurricane made landfall. Homes are fully submerged.
A look at what houses in #Mexico Beach, #Florida look like right now. This is a follow up from the previous clip posted. They are now submerged and were no match for #HurricaneMichael (via Tessa Talarico) #Hurricane #Michael #HurricaneMichael2018 pic.twitter.com/GJENrhFJha
Damage from Hurricane #Michael in Mexico Beach, FL. #flwx https://t.co/bUz1WBsf7U
Extensive damage was also spotted in Panama City.
Hurricane #Michael damage pictures starting to come in from the Panama City, FL area. #flwx https://t.co/1UQy7omUhy
The eye of Michael is moving inland over portions of Bay and Calhoun counties in the Florida Panhandle, per the 3pm update from the National Hurricane Center.
“Everyone in these areas is reminded not to venture out into the relative calm of the eye, as hazardous winds will increase very quickly as the eye passes!” the center wrote.
Wind gusts have been reported as high as 119mph at Tyndall Air Force Base outside Panama City.
Our Jamiles Lartey dropped by the Kindel Lanes bowling alley in Marianna, Florida, where owner Jeff Kindelspire invited his neighbors, who live in mobile homes, to join him and ride out the storm.
A group of a half dozen neighbors were munching on burgers and watching storm news on TV.
“We’ve got soda and snacks and cards, and we can survive in here without power for up to a week,” Kindlespire said.
Mobile home residents are some of the most vulnerable when hurricanes hit... But it's less daunting when, like Jeff Kindelspire, you also own a local bowling alley. He invited some of his neighbors to ride out the storm with him at Kindel Lanes like he's been doing since 1980. pic.twitter.com/pOwU8ywVXp
While the panhandle is taking the hardest hit, other parts of Florida are also seeing the effects of the storm.
There’s been some flooding in the Tampa Bay area, more than 300 miles from where the storm’s eye made landfall.
Images posted by a Tampa Bay Times reporter show flooded streets in Tarpon Springs and rising water in New Port Richey, both cities north of Tampa. Flooding could get worse when high tide arrives.
And streets are starting to flood in Tarpon Springs. This is Dodecanese Blvd. @TB_Times pic.twitter.com/yhWTRh9c7y
An hour and a half or so before high tide, the water is coming up here in a New Port Richey neighborhood by the Pithlachascotee River — several neighbors parking cars on one piece of high ground pic.twitter.com/nYuRmAyAxM
It’s one of 21 Waffle House locations in the storm’s path that have shut down, WMBF News reported.
Everything in Marianna, Florida closed down for the storm, the Guardian’s Jamiles Lartey reports – including the local Waffle House.
That’s a bad sign: Fema informally uses a “Waffle House Index” to determine the likely scale of assistance required for disaster recovery, since the restaurant often stays open when others close.
The Waffle House is also closed. Bad News. FEMA informally uses a "Waffle House Index" to determine the likely scale of assistance required for disaster recovery. Waffle Houses often stay open when other restaurants close, and can be a refuge for hungry patrons. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/NByCYzMWzW
Hurricane Michael has made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, the National Hurricane Center says.
The storm is still intensifying as it makes landfall. It now carries sustained winds of 155 mph.
Hurricane #Michael has made landfall just northwest of Mexico Beach, Florida. The latest public advisory is available on the NHC website: https://t.co/fniXaEmxWe pic.twitter.com/s4X21XtdX1
Here’s a view of the eye of Michael from outer space, shared by a US astronaut.
A view of the eye of #HurricaneMichael from @AstroSerena, currently orbiting Earth on the @Space_Station: https://t.co/NbHRW0j0mj
Landfall of the eye of Hurricane Michael is “imminent”, says the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The eyewall is coming ashore along the coast of the Florida Panhandle between St Vincent Island and Panama City.
“Everyone in the landfall area is reminded not to venture out into the relative calm of the eye, as hazardous winds will increase very quickly as the eye passes!” the center said.
A wind gust of 106mph has been recorded in Port St Joe. Water levels are rising fast, with 6.5ft of inundation above ground level reported at a station in Apalachicola.
Here is the 12 PM CDT position update for #Michael: Eyewall of Michael coming ashore along the coast of the Florida Panhandle between St. Vincent Island and Panama City. Do not venture out into the eye when it passes! pic.twitter.com/KsePFlnTIt
There are now 77,874 households without power, according to an outage map from Gulf Power.
The biggest outages are in the area around Panama City, with more than 73,000 customers with electricity out.
There are also outages in the areas around Pensacola and Destin, with power expected to go out for thousands more as the storm hits.
Donald Trump says he will likely go forward with a campaign rally planned for Wednesday night in Pennsylvania despite the storm.
He said he would travel to the affected area later, likely Sunday or Monday.
“There are thousands of people already lined up, and probably we’ll do that tonight,” Trump said in a White House briefing when asked if he would cancel the rally planned in Erie, Pennsylvania. “You have so many people already there, and it’s sort of not fair to them.”
Trump said he would head to hard hit areas “as soon as possible” but did not want to get in the way of immediate response efforts.
“I don’t want to go down where we’re interfering with the people,” he said.