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| Hurricane Michael set to be strongest storm ever to hit Florida Panhandle – live updates | Hurricane Michael set to be strongest storm ever to hit Florida Panhandle – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Hurricane Michael has gotten even stronger - with sustained winds now reaching 150mph, according to another update from the National Hurricane Center. | |
| And the National Weather Service in Tallahassee says it has issued its first-ever “extreme wind warning.” | |
| “Shelter in place IMMEDIATELY,” the agency warned. | |
| The situation is about to get serious in parts of Bay, Gulf, and Franklin county. We've issued our first ever Extreme Wind Warning. This means wind gusts in excess of 130 MPH are expected as #HurricaneMichael makes landfall in the next few hours. Shelter in place IMMEDIATELY. pic.twitter.com/5nHmcKLGm0 | |
| The town of Mexico Beach, Florida has lost power, its mayor said. | |
| The town of 1,200 people is now seeing sustained winds of 40-50mph with gusts over 60mph, Mayor Al Cathey told CNN. | |
| “It certainly is deteriorating rapidly here,” he said. | |
| Out of 1,200 residents, 280 are still in town and did not evacuate, Cathey said. | |
| “Not everyone left. We’re just hoping for the best here,” he said. | |
| The core of the “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Michael was closing in on the Florida Panhandle, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11am update. | |
| Life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and heavy rainfall are “imminent”. | |
| The storm is now 60 miles south-west of Panama City, with sustained winds of 145mph. It’s moving toward the coast at 14mph. | |
| “Some strengthening is still possible before landfall,” the NHC said. | |
| Here’s an update from Richard Luscombe in Miami: | |
| Storm experts at AccuWeather are predicting that the bill for damages and the economic fall-out of Hurricane Michael could be close to $30bn. | |
| “The greatest impacts will be near and east of where the hurricane’s eye makes landfall and particularly along the coastline because of angry seas in a dangerous storm surge being driven inland by onshore winds,” said AccuWeather president Dr Joel Myers, warning that damage from the storm might change a portion of Florida’s Panhandle coast “for decades to come”. | |
| Among the economic fallout will be the rebuilding of properties destroyed or damaged by storm surge and high winds, including some that were already impacted in the Carolinas by Hurricane Florence last month. And increases in premiums for homeowners and auto insurance could cost consumers significantly in the years to come, AccuWeather says, as insurers reset rates based on claims experience. | |
| By contrast, the two costliest hurricanes in US history were Katrina in 2005, which devastated New Orleans, and last year’s Hurricane Harvey, which caused massive flooding in Texas and Lousiana, according to the National Hurricane Centre’s list of costliest tropical cyclones, which estimates both at $125bn. Hurricane Irma, a category 4 storm that ripped through the Florida Keys and along the state’s west coast last year, caused damage estimated at $50bn. | |
| Here’s a map showing the projected path of Hurricane Michael. | Here’s a map showing the projected path of Hurricane Michael. |
| Photos sent to the Tallahassee Democrat show flooded streets and falling tree branches in Apalachicola, Florida. | Photos sent to the Tallahassee Democrat show flooded streets and falling tree branches in Apalachicola, Florida. |
| Photos and videos I received from Seth Silva who lives on 4th Avenue in Apalachicola. You can see in the first photo that Avenue I is floooded and in the second, tree branches are falling. pic.twitter.com/JxQqlLQzSA | Photos and videos I received from Seth Silva who lives on 4th Avenue in Apalachicola. You can see in the first photo that Avenue I is floooded and in the second, tree branches are falling. pic.twitter.com/JxQqlLQzSA |
| Hurricane Michael’s first strong band is now rolling through Tallahassee and the surrounding areas, according to the National Weather Service, with gusts of wind at 60mph. | Hurricane Michael’s first strong band is now rolling through Tallahassee and the surrounding areas, according to the National Weather Service, with gusts of wind at 60mph. |
| #Michael First strong band is rolling through Tallahassee and surrounding areas as it moves off to the north and west. Expect strong winds with gusts around 60 mph. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/ETMuUg3k5O | #Michael First strong band is rolling through Tallahassee and surrounding areas as it moves off to the north and west. Expect strong winds with gusts around 60 mph. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/ETMuUg3k5O |
| Hathaway Bridge, the main bridge connecting Panama City to neighboring Panama City Beach, has been closed due to winds over 50mph. | Hathaway Bridge, the main bridge connecting Panama City to neighboring Panama City Beach, has been closed due to winds over 50mph. |
| Here’s an image of rising waters in the area of the bridge. | Here’s an image of rising waters in the area of the bridge. |
| According to https://t.co/MFFLrWdzld this is the east site of the Hathaway Bridge along US98 by the Simpson Boat Ramp. Follow @BayCountyEM for the latest information in Bay County. https://t.co/CxfJCVszh0 | According to https://t.co/MFFLrWdzld this is the east site of the Hathaway Bridge along US98 by the Simpson Boat Ramp. Follow @BayCountyEM for the latest information in Bay County. https://t.co/CxfJCVszh0 |
| The Bay county sheriff says the bridge is too dangerous to cross. | The Bay county sheriff says the bridge is too dangerous to cross. |
| Because of deteriorating weather conditions due to Hurricane Michael, The Florida Highway Patrol has deemed Hathaway Bridge as too dangerous to cross. It is closed. Please DO NOT attempt to get out onto Bay County roads. There is a Shelter in Place order for Bay County. | Because of deteriorating weather conditions due to Hurricane Michael, The Florida Highway Patrol has deemed Hathaway Bridge as too dangerous to cross. It is closed. Please DO NOT attempt to get out onto Bay County roads. There is a Shelter in Place order for Bay County. |
| Tropical storm conditions are now spreading across the Florida Panhandle as Michael approaches, the National Hurricane Center says in its latest update issued at 10am eastern time. | Tropical storm conditions are now spreading across the Florida Panhandle as Michael approaches, the National Hurricane Center says in its latest update issued at 10am eastern time. |
| Water levels are rising quickly along the coast of the panhandle. A National Ocean Service water level station at Apalachicola recently reported over 4ft of inundation above ground level. | Water levels are rising quickly along the coast of the panhandle. A National Ocean Service water level station at Apalachicola recently reported over 4ft of inundation above ground level. |
| The storm is now located about 65 miles south-west of Panama City, with sustained winds of 145mph. | The storm is now located about 65 miles south-west of Panama City, with sustained winds of 145mph. |
| A private weather station in Bald Point, Florida, has already reported a sustained wind of 48mph and wind gust of 59mph, and the Apalachicola airport also reported a wind gust of 58mph. | A private weather station in Bald Point, Florida, has already reported a sustained wind of 48mph and wind gust of 59mph, and the Apalachicola airport also reported a wind gust of 58mph. |
| The storm has forced air traffic to re-route around the Gulf of Mexico. | The storm has forced air traffic to re-route around the Gulf of Mexico. |
| #Michael has forced traffic to reroute around the Gulf of Mexico. The two main Florida <> points west airways, Q100 and Q102, have the storm right through them. This is traffic out of IAH and DFW going to MIA/PBI/FLL at the moment. pic.twitter.com/4VySCh6mYW | #Michael has forced traffic to reroute around the Gulf of Mexico. The two main Florida <> points west airways, Q100 and Q102, have the storm right through them. This is traffic out of IAH and DFW going to MIA/PBI/FLL at the moment. pic.twitter.com/4VySCh6mYW |
| Water has begun to swamp some highways in Florida. The Florida department of transportation posted a video of storm surge topping a sea wall and flowing onto US 98 in Gulf county. | Water has begun to swamp some highways in Florida. The Florida department of transportation posted a video of storm surge topping a sea wall and flowing onto US 98 in Gulf county. |
| Surge from Hurricane Michael at Stump Hole on US 98 in Gulf County has intensified in the past 12 hours. pic.twitter.com/58w1KjaFAn | Surge from Hurricane Michael at Stump Hole on US 98 in Gulf County has intensified in the past 12 hours. pic.twitter.com/58w1KjaFAn |
| Another photo shows flood waters encroaching on US 98 in Franklin county. | Another photo shows flood waters encroaching on US 98 in Franklin county. |
| Storm activity is intensifying along the coastal areas with this area of US 98 just east of SR 65 near Franklin County School. pic.twitter.com/jghNE219cT | Storm activity is intensifying along the coastal areas with this area of US 98 just east of SR 65 near Franklin County School. pic.twitter.com/jghNE219cT |
| Georgia is also expected to absorb a blow from Hurricane Michael, Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) administrator Brock Long warned at a press conference Wednesday morning. | Georgia is also expected to absorb a blow from Hurricane Michael, Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) administrator Brock Long warned at a press conference Wednesday morning. |
| He said the storm will be one of the worst that southern Georgia has seen in decades, and people there should “wake up and pay attention”. | He said the storm will be one of the worst that southern Georgia has seen in decades, and people there should “wake up and pay attention”. |
| In parts of Georgia, as in Florida, it’s likely power will be out for several weeks, he said. | In parts of Georgia, as in Florida, it’s likely power will be out for several weeks, he said. |
| North and South Carolina are also expected to see rainfall from the storm, which is a concern because rivers there have not yet receded to their normal levels after flooding from Hurricane Florence. “Unfortunately it’s going to be a reality and it’s going to cause problems,” Long said. | North and South Carolina are also expected to see rainfall from the storm, which is a concern because rivers there have not yet receded to their normal levels after flooding from Hurricane Florence. “Unfortunately it’s going to be a reality and it’s going to cause problems,” Long said. |
| Water is rising in Rock Landing, Florida, according to the National Weather Service. | Water is rising in Rock Landing, Florida, according to the National Weather Service. |
| Storm surge picture from this morning around 6:30am near Rock Landing Florida (near Panacea). Can't stress this enough, these impacts from the surge is only the beginning, it's going to get higher! #Surge #FLwx #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/9JHSV6syhM | Storm surge picture from this morning around 6:30am near Rock Landing Florida (near Panacea). Can't stress this enough, these impacts from the surge is only the beginning, it's going to get higher! #Surge #FLwx #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/9JHSV6syhM |
| There may be tornadoes embedded in the hurricane, the weather service says. | There may be tornadoes embedded in the hurricane, the weather service says. |
| We are closely monitoring couplets in #HurricaneMichael that may contain embedded tornadoes. Please pay attention to the latest warnings from our office and be ready to take action. #Michael #FLwx pic.twitter.com/lesYuxKux7 | We are closely monitoring couplets in #HurricaneMichael that may contain embedded tornadoes. Please pay attention to the latest warnings from our office and be ready to take action. #Michael #FLwx pic.twitter.com/lesYuxKux7 |
| With rain already drenching the area from the fast-moving storm, officials are warning residents Wednesday morning not to try to move if they haven’t already evacuated. | With rain already drenching the area from the fast-moving storm, officials are warning residents Wednesday morning not to try to move if they haven’t already evacuated. |
| “What we’re trying to communicate to our folks is: You’ve made your decision. It’s time to hunker down and ride out this storm,” Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum told CNN. | “What we’re trying to communicate to our folks is: You’ve made your decision. It’s time to hunker down and ride out this storm,” Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum told CNN. |
| Panama City Beach city manager Mario Gisbert said residents should take shelter in the least exposed room in their homes. | Panama City Beach city manager Mario Gisbert said residents should take shelter in the least exposed room in their homes. |
| “Find a good, safe room within the house – typically it’s a closet, it’s a bathroom, it’s a hallway. If you’ve got an area where you’ve got water rising, just play it safe – try not to travel in that water,” he told CNN. “Stay at home. Stay in a dry spot and just weather it out right now. It’s not the time to move.” | “Find a good, safe room within the house – typically it’s a closet, it’s a bathroom, it’s a hallway. If you’ve got an area where you’ve got water rising, just play it safe – try not to travel in that water,” he told CNN. “Stay at home. Stay in a dry spot and just weather it out right now. It’s not the time to move.” |
| Some reports suggested that many of those encouraged to evacuate had ignored the warnings and chosen to stay put. There were mandatory evacuation orders in place for Panama City Beach and Pensacola Beach, but not the city of Pensacola itself. | Some reports suggested that many of those encouraged to evacuate had ignored the warnings and chosen to stay put. There were mandatory evacuation orders in place for Panama City Beach and Pensacola Beach, but not the city of Pensacola itself. |
| “I am not seeing the level of traffic on the roadways that I would expect when we’ve called for the evacuation of 75% of this county,” Bay county sheriff Tommy Ford told the Associated Press | “I am not seeing the level of traffic on the roadways that I would expect when we’ve called for the evacuation of 75% of this county,” Bay county sheriff Tommy Ford told the Associated Press |
| “Communities are going to see unimaginable devastation,” Florida governor Rick Scott said at a storm press conference Wednesday morning. | “Communities are going to see unimaginable devastation,” Florida governor Rick Scott said at a storm press conference Wednesday morning. |
| Medical teams are standing by, with 90 ambulances at the ready, Scott said. There are 19,000 workers stage to help restore power after the storm. | Medical teams are standing by, with 90 ambulances at the ready, Scott said. There are 19,000 workers stage to help restore power after the storm. |
| There are not yet any major power outages or fuel shortages. | There are not yet any major power outages or fuel shortages. |
| “Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the panhandle in a century,” Scott said. Twelve inches of rain could fall in parts of the panhandle. “Flooding will be a major issue,” he said. | “Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the panhandle in a century,” Scott said. Twelve inches of rain could fall in parts of the panhandle. “Flooding will be a major issue,” he said. |
| The storm came on fast, unlike Hurricane Florence which lingered off the east coast for days, leaving less time for officials to prepare. | The storm came on fast, unlike Hurricane Florence which lingered off the east coast for days, leaving less time for officials to prepare. |
| Scott said he had visited Franklin county, where 50 people had decided to stay put on an island off the coast despite visits from law enforcement to encourage them to evacuate. “I’m scared to death for them,” Scott said. | Scott said he had visited Franklin county, where 50 people had decided to stay put on an island off the coast despite visits from law enforcement to encourage them to evacuate. “I’m scared to death for them,” Scott said. |
| Florida governor Rick Scott says he has just spoken with Donald Trump, who offered federal aid to deal with the massive storm. | Florida governor Rick Scott says he has just spoken with Donald Trump, who offered federal aid to deal with the massive storm. |
| Just spoke with @POTUS to give him an update on Hurricane Michael. He offered any federal resources necessary as we prepare to respond to this massive and catastrophic storm. | Just spoke with @POTUS to give him an update on Hurricane Michael. He offered any federal resources necessary as we prepare to respond to this massive and catastrophic storm. |
| Hurricane Michael strengthened overnight into a dangerous category 4 hurricane, and is headed for Florida – the strongest storm to ever hit the Florida Panhandle. | Hurricane Michael strengthened overnight into a dangerous category 4 hurricane, and is headed for Florida – the strongest storm to ever hit the Florida Panhandle. |
| “This storm can kill you,” Governor Rick Scott has warned. | “This storm can kill you,” Governor Rick Scott has warned. |
| The hurricane is expected to make landfall Wednesday, with population centers like Panama City and Tallahassee sitting in its path. | The hurricane is expected to make landfall Wednesday, with population centers like Panama City and Tallahassee sitting in its path. |
| The “potentially catastrophic” storm has sustained winds of 145mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update. | The “potentially catastrophic” storm has sustained winds of 145mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update. |
| Storm surge could reach up to 14ft in parts of the hurricane zone. | Storm surge could reach up to 14ft in parts of the hurricane zone. |
| The hurricane is 90 miles south-west of Panama City as of 8am eastern time. | The hurricane is 90 miles south-west of Panama City as of 8am eastern time. |
| Half a million people were advised to evacuate, but officials said Wednesday morning that it was too late to flee and residents who haven’t already left should hunker down. | Half a million people were advised to evacuate, but officials said Wednesday morning that it was too late to flee and residents who haven’t already left should hunker down. |
| “The time for evacuating along the coast has come and gone. First responders will not be able to come out in the middle of the storm. If you chose to stay in an evacuation zone, you must SEEK REFUGE IMMEDIATELY,” Scott tweeted. | “The time for evacuating along the coast has come and gone. First responders will not be able to come out in the middle of the storm. If you chose to stay in an evacuation zone, you must SEEK REFUGE IMMEDIATELY,” Scott tweeted. |
| The time for evacuating along the coast has come and gone. First responders will not be able to come out in the middle of the storm. If you chose to stay in an evacuation zone, you must SEEK REFUGE IMMEDIATELY. | The time for evacuating along the coast has come and gone. First responders will not be able to come out in the middle of the storm. If you chose to stay in an evacuation zone, you must SEEK REFUGE IMMEDIATELY. |
| We will have live updates here throughout the day. | We will have live updates here throughout the day. |