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Hurricane Michael: floods in Florida as thousands lose power – live Hurricane Michael: first death reported in Florida as thousands lose power – live
(35 minutes later)
Is climate change making hurricanes worse? The short answer is yes.
The Guardian’s Daniel Levitt and Niko Kommenda have built this interactive to show the worrying long-term picture. They write:
Two common measures used to judge whether hurricanes are becoming worse are the number of storms per year and the strength of each storm. Based on the total number of named storms, there has been an increase since the start of the 20th century.
Category 5 hurricanes are the most severe but also the most rare – there have been just three in the past decade.
But these hurricanes aren’t the only category of storm that cause significant damage. Hurricane Harvey showed us last year that a category 4 storm can last for several days and dump historic volumes of rain to almost sink an entire city.
To more accurately assess how bad a storm is, meteorologists use the Accumulated Cyclone Energy Index – or ACE – to account for the strength, frequency and duration of storms per year. The Atlantic Ocean is in the midst of its worst stretch on record.
View the full interactive here.
Authorities have warned motorists to stay off the roads even after the storm has passed, warning that in one stretch of Thomasville Road in Tallahassee alone, there are more than a dozen downed utility poles.
This mangled utility pole is just one of more than a dozen lying along Thomasville Road north of I-10 rn. 😯 https://t.co/RPgaJZfMjg
Hurricane Michael, the strongest storm to ever hit the Florida Panhandle, was upgraded to a category 4 hurricane in the early hours of Wednesday morning as it approached the coast of Florida.
It made landfall on Wednesday at about lunchtime, near Mexico Beach, Florida with winds of 155 mph.
One death has been reported, of a Florida man killed by a falling tree in Gadsden County.
It is the strongest storm to hit the continental US is more than 25 years, since Hurricane Andrew devastated Florida in 1992.
Trump has described the storm as a “monster” and acknowledged the poverty in the area hampered evacuation efforts, with thousands of residents staying in their homes.
The sheriff of Franklin County, Franklin confirmed that a woman had been hit in the head by a falling tree limb. There are no ambulance services available and her condition is not clear.
More than 311,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Georgia and Alabama are without power due to the hurricane.
Hurricane Michael was downgraded to a category 2 storm on Wednesday night with maximum wind speeds of 10 mph.
Authorities say a Florida Panhandle man was killed by a falling tree as Hurricane Michael tore through the state.Authorities say a Florida Panhandle man was killed by a falling tree as Hurricane Michael tore through the state.
Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Anglie Hightower says they received a call around 6 pm Wednesday, saying a tree had crashed through the roof of the man’s Greenboro home and trapped him.Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Anglie Hightower says they received a call around 6 pm Wednesday, saying a tree had crashed through the roof of the man’s Greenboro home and trapped him.
Emergency crews were heading to the home, but downed power lines and blocked roads were making the trip difficult.Emergency crews were heading to the home, but downed power lines and blocked roads were making the trip difficult.
Officials did not confirm the man’s name.Officials did not confirm the man’s name.
Hurricane Michael has been downgraded to a category 2 storm, with 100 mph maximum winds. When it made landfall roughly six hours ago it was a category four storm with sustained winds of 155 mph.Hurricane Michael has been downgraded to a category 2 storm, with 100 mph maximum winds. When it made landfall roughly six hours ago it was a category four storm with sustained winds of 155 mph.
Wind speeds are: 67mph in Albany, Georgia, 61mph at Tallahassee international airport and 60mph in Dothan, Alabama.Wind speeds are: 67mph in Albany, Georgia, 61mph at Tallahassee international airport and 60mph in Dothan, Alabama.
Hi, this is Kate Lyons taking over from my colleague Patrick Greenfield. It’s now roughly 7:30pm in Tallahassee and I’ll be bringing you updates as the night continues.Hi, this is Kate Lyons taking over from my colleague Patrick Greenfield. It’s now roughly 7:30pm in Tallahassee and I’ll be bringing you updates as the night continues.
Here is the full National Hurricane Center update.Here is the full National Hurricane Center update.
Here is the 7 PM EDT position update for #Michael - Eye of #Michael moving through southwestern Georgia https://t.co/huazqXcQgJ pic.twitter.com/iJzibRVzQFHere is the 7 PM EDT position update for #Michael - Eye of #Michael moving through southwestern Georgia https://t.co/huazqXcQgJ pic.twitter.com/iJzibRVzQF
Over 311,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Georgia and Alabama are without power because of the hurricane, according to local power companies. Michael is now a category 3 hurricane but raged through the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4. Outages could last for several days, authorities have been eager to show they are prepared for the cleanup.Over 311,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Georgia and Alabama are without power because of the hurricane, according to local power companies. Michael is now a category 3 hurricane but raged through the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4. Outages could last for several days, authorities have been eager to show they are prepared for the cleanup.
Utility companies have nearly 19,000 personnel staged to begin power restoration. Getting power back on is absolutely critical to our recovery and response efforts- this is a top priority.Utility companies have nearly 19,000 personnel staged to begin power restoration. Getting power back on is absolutely critical to our recovery and response efforts- this is a top priority.
We are assisting linemen and tree surgeons stage from all over the Southeast. As soon as it is safe to do so, they will be headed to the panhandle. Help will be on the way. #HurricaneMichael #Michael #Teamwork pic.twitter.com/dnpy21bEeGWe are assisting linemen and tree surgeons stage from all over the Southeast. As soon as it is safe to do so, they will be headed to the panhandle. Help will be on the way. #HurricaneMichael #Michael #Teamwork pic.twitter.com/dnpy21bEeG
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center says the storm is now about 35 miles west-southwest of Albany Georgia, with maximum sustained winds of 100mph.Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center says the storm is now about 35 miles west-southwest of Albany Georgia, with maximum sustained winds of 100mph.
The National Hurricane Center says the eye of Michael is now moving over Seminole county in southwestern Georgia. The storm surge along the coast of the Florida Panhandle is also a big concern, with reports of floods nearly 5ft deep.The National Hurricane Center says the eye of Michael is now moving over Seminole county in southwestern Georgia. The storm surge along the coast of the Florida Panhandle is also a big concern, with reports of floods nearly 5ft deep.
Heavy rainfall from #Michael could produce life-threatening flashflooding from the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend regions intoportions of southeast Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeastVirginia. See the latest @NWSWPC forecasts for more details: https://t.co/3qxGBA9w6t pic.twitter.com/lsGXGrMq73Heavy rainfall from #Michael could produce life-threatening flashflooding from the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend regions intoportions of southeast Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeastVirginia. See the latest @NWSWPC forecasts for more details: https://t.co/3qxGBA9w6t pic.twitter.com/lsGXGrMq73
Here’s a photo of the hurricane from space.Here’s a photo of the hurricane from space.
The eye of #HurricaneMichael before the storm made landfall on the Florida panhandle. This image was taken by @AstroSerena around noon on Oct. 10, 2018 as the @Space_Station orbited over the Gulf of Mexico. pic.twitter.com/Bj8Te1voETThe eye of #HurricaneMichael before the storm made landfall on the Florida panhandle. This image was taken by @AstroSerena around noon on Oct. 10, 2018 as the @Space_Station orbited over the Gulf of Mexico. pic.twitter.com/Bj8Te1voET
Our reporter Jamiles Lartey is hunkered down off I-10 in Marianna Florida, where Michael’s eye passed directly over. He sends this in via SMS, as the storm has all but knocked out mobile internet access.Our reporter Jamiles Lartey is hunkered down off I-10 in Marianna Florida, where Michael’s eye passed directly over. He sends this in via SMS, as the storm has all but knocked out mobile internet access.
It was around 3:00 PM in Marianna when the most brutal part of Michael passed over this Florida town. The wind whipped and howled, bowing windows and stripping roofing off the buildings in a small corridor of hotels off RT 71. Flash floods waters pooled as trees swayed and splintered, somehow mostly managing to stay upright as they shed branches and leaves. Then, in a matter of minutes, an eerie calm. Folks walked into the streets to survey damage as the sky lightened. “How’s the car?” one man screamed across a hotel parking lot. “Fine I guess” his wife yells back. Across the street, the clearing visibility reveals that a high sitting sign for Microtel, at least 40ft up, didn’t survive the winds. Its panels are gone and its frame sits crooked.It was around 3:00 PM in Marianna when the most brutal part of Michael passed over this Florida town. The wind whipped and howled, bowing windows and stripping roofing off the buildings in a small corridor of hotels off RT 71. Flash floods waters pooled as trees swayed and splintered, somehow mostly managing to stay upright as they shed branches and leaves. Then, in a matter of minutes, an eerie calm. Folks walked into the streets to survey damage as the sky lightened. “How’s the car?” one man screamed across a hotel parking lot. “Fine I guess” his wife yells back. Across the street, the clearing visibility reveals that a high sitting sign for Microtel, at least 40ft up, didn’t survive the winds. Its panels are gone and its frame sits crooked.
Some walk dogs who have been stuck inside for hours as the storm slowly wound up over the course of the day.Some walk dogs who have been stuck inside for hours as the storm slowly wound up over the course of the day.
Then the light sprinkle quickened, the sky got dark again and the still gave way to more gusts as the other side of the eyewall began to pass over. “Round two” said Jason Evans, a Marianna resident as he sighed and walked back inside. As the winds picked back up, glass could be heard shattering every few minutes, though it was unclear the source. Several windows did break at hotels along the way as undermanned staff tried to quickly board them before the eye wall’s encore.Then the light sprinkle quickened, the sky got dark again and the still gave way to more gusts as the other side of the eyewall began to pass over. “Round two” said Jason Evans, a Marianna resident as he sighed and walked back inside. As the winds picked back up, glass could be heard shattering every few minutes, though it was unclear the source. Several windows did break at hotels along the way as undermanned staff tried to quickly board them before the eye wall’s encore.
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.
Couldn’t let these great people down. They have been lined up since last night - see you soon Pennsylvania! pic.twitter.com/jSrsmncw85
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.
It’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.
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/df6Ll3nLz0
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.
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/RMme5qVWJ1
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.
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.
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.
Responders were able to safely rescue the kids.
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.
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.
History 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.
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.
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.
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.”
The woman’s condition was not clear.
Power is out across Franklin County, and many large trees are down, the sheriff said.