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Hurricane Michael Updates: Search and Rescue Begins Amid Ruins of Florida Coast Search and Rescue Begins Amid Ruins of Florida Coast
(about 11 hours later)
MEXICO BEACH, Fla. — Search-and-rescue teams rushed on Thursday to reach communities that Hurricane Michael leveled, hoping to find survivors of the powerful storm after its rampage through the Florida Panhandle and beyond left buildings collapsed and splintered, hospitals damaged, roads and water systems compromised and more than a million homes and businesses without electricity.MEXICO BEACH, Fla. — Search-and-rescue teams rushed on Thursday to reach communities that Hurricane Michael leveled, hoping to find survivors of the powerful storm after its rampage through the Florida Panhandle and beyond left buildings collapsed and splintered, hospitals damaged, roads and water systems compromised and more than a million homes and businesses without electricity.
Although it was clear by afternoon that the storm had caused widespread damage, some areas remained largely cut off, and the authorities were trying to deploy rescuers by helicopter and boat.Although it was clear by afternoon that the storm had caused widespread damage, some areas remained largely cut off, and the authorities were trying to deploy rescuers by helicopter and boat.
“This is a very dense part of the state, so it’s going to be a lot of work to get to everybody,” Gov. Rick Scott of Florida said. “But we will get to everybody.”“This is a very dense part of the state, so it’s going to be a lot of work to get to everybody,” Gov. Rick Scott of Florida said. “But we will get to everybody.”
Here are the latest developments:Here are the latest developments:
• At least six people have died, and with the death toll expected to rise, the Panhandle and counties to the north were a vast, staggered disaster zone. Here is why a death might be considered storm related in one state and not another.• At least six people have died, and with the death toll expected to rise, the Panhandle and counties to the north were a vast, staggered disaster zone. Here is why a death might be considered storm related in one state and not another.
• Four deaths occurred in Gadsden County, west of Tallahassee, according to Lt. Anglie Hightower, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office. The victims included a man who died when a tree crashed down on his home in Greensboro.• Four deaths occurred in Gadsden County, west of Tallahassee, according to Lt. Anglie Hightower, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office. The victims included a man who died when a tree crashed down on his home in Greensboro.
• An 11-year-old girl, Sarah Radney, was killed on Wednesday when a carport was torn away and was sent hurtling into the modular home she was in, said Chad Smith, the coroner of Seminole County, Ga. “She was sitting right next to her grandmother,” said Mr. Smith, who described the girl’s death as a “horrible accident.”• An 11-year-old girl, Sarah Radney, was killed on Wednesday when a carport was torn away and was sent hurtling into the modular home she was in, said Chad Smith, the coroner of Seminole County, Ga. “She was sitting right next to her grandmother,” said Mr. Smith, who described the girl’s death as a “horrible accident.”
• Governor Scott said that 30 shelters were open, with about 4,381 people occupying them. Over a thousand search-and-rescue workers had been deployed.• Governor Scott said that 30 shelters were open, with about 4,381 people occupying them. Over a thousand search-and-rescue workers had been deployed.
• In a briefing with reporters, the governor said that cities like Chipley and Bristol looked as if they had been hit by a tornado. The site of the worst damage, he said, appeared to be Mexico Beach, near where the storm made landfall. “There’s just stuff everywhere,” he said.• In a briefing with reporters, the governor said that cities like Chipley and Bristol looked as if they had been hit by a tornado. The site of the worst damage, he said, appeared to be Mexico Beach, near where the storm made landfall. “There’s just stuff everywhere,” he said.
• Emergency officials rushed to evacuate patients from storm-damaged hospitals. Five hospitals, five nursing homes and fifteen assisted-living facilities had reported complete evacuations to the state by Thursday afternoon. Four more hospitals and five more nursing homes said they were planning evacuations, and one additional hospital evacuation was underway.• Emergency officials rushed to evacuate patients from storm-damaged hospitals. Five hospitals, five nursing homes and fifteen assisted-living facilities had reported complete evacuations to the state by Thursday afternoon. Four more hospitals and five more nursing homes said they were planning evacuations, and one additional hospital evacuation was underway.
• Much of the coast of the Florida Panhandle was left in ruins. The area is dotted with small, rural communities, some of them among the poorest in the state. Evacuation was difficult. Read more about how the storm was hard on people without the means to evacuate.• Much of the coast of the Florida Panhandle was left in ruins. The area is dotted with small, rural communities, some of them among the poorest in the state. Evacuation was difficult. Read more about how the storm was hard on people without the means to evacuate.
• At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Michael was about 5 miles northwest of Roanake Rapids, N.C., heading northeast with sustained winds of up to 50 miles an hour. Now a tropical storm, it is moving relatively quickly, at 24 m.p.h., and is expected to speed up as it crosses Virginia and blows out to sea overnight. Click on the map below to see the storm’s projected path.• At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Michael was about 5 miles northwest of Roanake Rapids, N.C., heading northeast with sustained winds of up to 50 miles an hour. Now a tropical storm, it is moving relatively quickly, at 24 m.p.h., and is expected to speed up as it crosses Virginia and blows out to sea overnight. Click on the map below to see the storm’s projected path.
• “The big problem with this hurricane was the tremendous power,” President Trump said on Thursday, adding that “we’ve not seen destruction like that for a long time.”• “The big problem with this hurricane was the tremendous power,” President Trump said on Thursday, adding that “we’ve not seen destruction like that for a long time.”
Ted Carranza could only watch with horror and wonder as Hurricane Michael lifted the houses all around him in the small town of Mexico Beach, Fla., then spun them around and dropped them.Ted Carranza could only watch with horror and wonder as Hurricane Michael lifted the houses all around him in the small town of Mexico Beach, Fla., then spun them around and dropped them.
“It was insane,” Mr. Carranza said Thursday from the town where the storm had crossed onto land a day earlier. It was a city in ruin. All around him, in places where there were once houses, now there were mere piles of lumber, junked home furnishings, mangled roofing, fishing rods, ceiling fans, sheets, clothing, bottles.“It was insane,” Mr. Carranza said Thursday from the town where the storm had crossed onto land a day earlier. It was a city in ruin. All around him, in places where there were once houses, now there were mere piles of lumber, junked home furnishings, mangled roofing, fishing rods, ceiling fans, sheets, clothing, bottles.
“These were all block and stucco houses — gone,” said Tom Bailey, 66, a former mayor of the city, gesturing to a flat beachside plain riddled with junk piles and a few bent trees.“These were all block and stucco houses — gone,” said Tom Bailey, 66, a former mayor of the city, gesturing to a flat beachside plain riddled with junk piles and a few bent trees.
The roads became passable into town on Thursday, and it became evident that few communities had suffered more. Known for its sport fishing, the city of about 2,000 permanent residents swells to as many as 14,000 in July, and is known for having a relaxed, small-town feel compared with the brash tourist strips of Panama City Beach or tony nearby beach developments like Alys Beach or Seaside.The roads became passable into town on Thursday, and it became evident that few communities had suffered more. Known for its sport fishing, the city of about 2,000 permanent residents swells to as many as 14,000 in July, and is known for having a relaxed, small-town feel compared with the brash tourist strips of Panama City Beach or tony nearby beach developments like Alys Beach or Seaside.
But Mexico Beach is now a splintered, flattened wreck, with expensive boats pushed up halfway onto land, piers and docks destroyed, and the main street through town piled with the jumbled remains of permanent homes and vacation places.But Mexico Beach is now a splintered, flattened wreck, with expensive boats pushed up halfway onto land, piers and docks destroyed, and the main street through town piled with the jumbled remains of permanent homes and vacation places.
“The mother of all bombs doesn’t do any more damage than this,” said Mr. Bailey, a retired Army major, as he pushed his bicycle down the main drag, marveling at the damage.“The mother of all bombs doesn’t do any more damage than this,” said Mr. Bailey, a retired Army major, as he pushed his bicycle down the main drag, marveling at the damage.
[Here is how you can help victims of Hurricane Michael.][Here is how you can help victims of Hurricane Michael.]
Officials were not allowing visitors to drive into town, as the roads were barely passable, but convoys of military trucks and Humvees were moving in, while hard-hatted search and rescue crews moved door to door — although often there were no doors — to search for survivors and bodies.Officials were not allowing visitors to drive into town, as the roads were barely passable, but convoys of military trucks and Humvees were moving in, while hard-hatted search and rescue crews moved door to door — although often there were no doors — to search for survivors and bodies.
In the late morning, two men from the New Orleans Fire Department could be seen searching the second story of a raised home, the face of which had been sheared off by the wind. From the ground level, the rescue workers looked like dolls in a dollhouse.In the late morning, two men from the New Orleans Fire Department could be seen searching the second story of a raised home, the face of which had been sheared off by the wind. From the ground level, the rescue workers looked like dolls in a dollhouse.
Mr. Bailey was asked if there was anything that could be done to help.Mr. Bailey was asked if there was anything that could be done to help.
“Yeah,” he said, pushing off on his bicycle, “turn back the clock two days.”“Yeah,” he said, pushing off on his bicycle, “turn back the clock two days.”
The storm reached deep into the Florida Panhandle. In Marianna, more than 60 miles northeast of Panama City, roofs and walls were torn off buildings, pine trees were snapped, and piles of bricks and debris were strewn across downtown streets.The storm reached deep into the Florida Panhandle. In Marianna, more than 60 miles northeast of Panama City, roofs and walls were torn off buildings, pine trees were snapped, and piles of bricks and debris were strewn across downtown streets.
David Bishop, a former TV news reporter based in Tallahassee, who drove into town Thursday to check on his parents, said he was stunned by what he saw.David Bishop, a former TV news reporter based in Tallahassee, who drove into town Thursday to check on his parents, said he was stunned by what he saw.
“There are buildings over 100 years old where the facades were just ripped off,” Mr. Bishop said. “It looks like a bomb, not a hurricane.”“There are buildings over 100 years old where the facades were just ripped off,” Mr. Bishop said. “It looks like a bomb, not a hurricane.”
Leroy E. Wilson Jr., who was driving from his home near Marianna to Dothan, Ala., said: “The area is totally destroyed almost. We have no power. The neighbors have no power.”Leroy E. Wilson Jr., who was driving from his home near Marianna to Dothan, Ala., said: “The area is totally destroyed almost. We have no power. The neighbors have no power.”
Rescue efforts started Thursday morning, and Mr. Bishop said residents were out helping one another dig out. Some were even clearing roads. “Chain saws are the hot commodity here,” he said.Rescue efforts started Thursday morning, and Mr. Bishop said residents were out helping one another dig out. Some were even clearing roads. “Chain saws are the hot commodity here,” he said.
A giant oak tree had fallen through the corner of his parents’ roof and snapped a power line.A giant oak tree had fallen through the corner of his parents’ roof and snapped a power line.
“We’ll be without power for a while,” Mr. Bishop said. “The yard? I’m about to put in some sweat equity with my brothers.”“We’ll be without power for a while,” Mr. Bishop said. “The yard? I’m about to put in some sweat equity with my brothers.”
Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart, a 300-bed hospital in the heart of Panama City, Fla., was a tumultuous mess on Thursday morning. Hurricane Michael had strafed the center, breaking windows, damaging roofs and stripping off the outsides of some buildings. Signage was strewn in the streets. Doctors, nurses and staff members wandered outside, some crying, some looking for cell service.Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart, a 300-bed hospital in the heart of Panama City, Fla., was a tumultuous mess on Thursday morning. Hurricane Michael had strafed the center, breaking windows, damaging roofs and stripping off the outsides of some buildings. Signage was strewn in the streets. Doctors, nurses and staff members wandered outside, some crying, some looking for cell service.
Bay Medical was one of two hospitals in Panama City — the other being Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center — that was damaged in the storm. Both were evacuating patients.Bay Medical was one of two hospitals in Panama City — the other being Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center — that was damaged in the storm. Both were evacuating patients.
Bay Medical said in a statement that about 200 patients would be evacuated, including 39 intensive care patients who will be transferred first, to hospitals outside the affected area. About 1,500 people had taken shelter in the hospital, the statement said.Bay Medical said in a statement that about 200 patients would be evacuated, including 39 intensive care patients who will be transferred first, to hospitals outside the affected area. About 1,500 people had taken shelter in the hospital, the statement said.
[Hospitals in Texas were also forced to evacuate in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.][Hospitals in Texas were also forced to evacuate in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.]
The hospital was in poor condition to take in patients. Staff members said the hospital had partial electricity from its generators; there was no water and the toilets were filling up. Windows were broken. One staff member said that the fourth floor was flooded. She had tied plastic bags over her shoes and the legs of her scrubs.The hospital was in poor condition to take in patients. Staff members said the hospital had partial electricity from its generators; there was no water and the toilets were filling up. Windows were broken. One staff member said that the fourth floor was flooded. She had tied plastic bags over her shoes and the legs of her scrubs.
Dr. Brian Roake, the head of the anesthesiology department, was among those who rode out the hurricane in the hospital. “It was like hell,” he said.Dr. Brian Roake, the head of the anesthesiology department, was among those who rode out the hurricane in the hospital. “It was like hell,” he said.
[Read more here about the scramble to evacuate hospitals hit by the storm.][Read more here about the scramble to evacuate hospitals hit by the storm.]
Some Springfield, Fla., residents were desperate for supplies, and sometimes took what they needed. At a half-ruined Dollar General store on Thursday, residents walked in and out of a shattered glass door with instant coffee, soft drinks, water and nail polish.Some Springfield, Fla., residents were desperate for supplies, and sometimes took what they needed. At a half-ruined Dollar General store on Thursday, residents walked in and out of a shattered glass door with instant coffee, soft drinks, water and nail polish.
Most came looking for something to drink or eat. “Where’s the water?” one man asked.Most came looking for something to drink or eat. “Where’s the water?” one man asked.
“Down here, dude, it’s fight for yourself,” said another man who walked off with an armful of sodas. “It’s no water, no power nowhere.”“Down here, dude, it’s fight for yourself,” said another man who walked off with an armful of sodas. “It’s no water, no power nowhere.”
An S.U.V. full of men pulled up. A couple entered. One of them moved through the flooded store stuffing a backpack with Gatorade bottles.An S.U.V. full of men pulled up. A couple entered. One of them moved through the flooded store stuffing a backpack with Gatorade bottles.
“I need some batteries,” someone else said. “What are you gonna do if you need something? I got toddlers at home.”“I need some batteries,” someone else said. “What are you gonna do if you need something? I got toddlers at home.”
Someone said the police were coming. And they were. But the cruiser drove by.Someone said the police were coming. And they were. But the cruiser drove by.
The photographers Gabriella Angotti-Jones, Scott McIntyre, Johnny Milano and Eric Thayer are on the ground in Florida covering the storm for The New York Times. See their images here.The photographers Gabriella Angotti-Jones, Scott McIntyre, Johnny Milano and Eric Thayer are on the ground in Florida covering the storm for The New York Times. See their images here.
Tyndall Air Force Base, which straddles a narrow spit of land jutting out into the Gulf, a dozen miles south of Panama City, “sustained extensive damage,” a post on the base’s Facebook page said.Tyndall Air Force Base, which straddles a narrow spit of land jutting out into the Gulf, a dozen miles south of Panama City, “sustained extensive damage,” a post on the base’s Facebook page said.
Winds topping 130 miles an hour knocked down trees, felled power lines, tore roofs from buildings, and ripped a static display of an F-15 fighter jet at the base entrance from its foundation, pitching it into the air and tipping it upside down.Winds topping 130 miles an hour knocked down trees, felled power lines, tore roofs from buildings, and ripped a static display of an F-15 fighter jet at the base entrance from its foundation, pitching it into the air and tipping it upside down.
Fortunately, “there have been no injuries reported on Tyndall at this time,” the Facebook post said.Fortunately, “there have been no injuries reported on Tyndall at this time,” the Facebook post said.
The base, which sits just nine feet above sea level, is home to a series of hangars and a runway, as well as tree-lined neighborhoods for about 600 Air Force personnel. The base hosts a number of jets, including F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, which cost well over $100 million each. The base commander ordered all jets to fly to inland bases earlier in the week.The base, which sits just nine feet above sea level, is home to a series of hangars and a runway, as well as tree-lined neighborhoods for about 600 Air Force personnel. The base hosts a number of jets, including F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, which cost well over $100 million each. The base commander ordered all jets to fly to inland bases earlier in the week.
Video footage taken from a helicopter, and posted on Twitter by the commercial weather forecaster AccuWeather, showed widespread damage.Video footage taken from a helicopter, and posted on Twitter by the commercial weather forecaster AccuWeather, showed widespread damage.
The roof of the base’s largest hangar, which has been used to store jets during weaker storms, was skinned down to its steel rafters, revealing at least three small planes inside, covered in debris. Though the video did not reveal large amounts of standing water near the flight line, it showed roofs shorn off several other buildings surrounding the hangar, garage doors punched in, and cars flipped over.The roof of the base’s largest hangar, which has been used to store jets during weaker storms, was skinned down to its steel rafters, revealing at least three small planes inside, covered in debris. Though the video did not reveal large amounts of standing water near the flight line, it showed roofs shorn off several other buildings surrounding the hangar, garage doors punched in, and cars flipped over.
It was unclear Thursday if the runway was usable. Base officials said they were assessing damage. It was not known when personnel would be able to return.It was unclear Thursday if the runway was usable. Base officials said they were assessing damage. It was not known when personnel would be able to return.
Other Air Force bases along the coast, as well as the Navy base in Panama City, have resumed limited operations.Other Air Force bases along the coast, as well as the Navy base in Panama City, have resumed limited operations.
[Travel remains snarled in Hurricane Michael’s wake.][Travel remains snarled in Hurricane Michael’s wake.]
Governor Scott said Thursday that Michael had left a wide trail of devastation, and that the authorities had turned their immediate focus to rescue efforts.Governor Scott said Thursday that Michael had left a wide trail of devastation, and that the authorities had turned their immediate focus to rescue efforts.
“We are deploying a massive wave of response, and those efforts are already underway,” Mr. Scott said. “Help is coming by air, land and sea.”“We are deploying a massive wave of response, and those efforts are already underway,” Mr. Scott said. “Help is coming by air, land and sea.”
Senator Marco Rubio of Florida said he had heard from the local authorities who described extensive damage. “These are not people prone to hyperbole,” Mr. Rubio said on CNN. “Panama City is catastrophic damage. Someone told me, ‘Mexico Beach is gone.’”Senator Marco Rubio of Florida said he had heard from the local authorities who described extensive damage. “These are not people prone to hyperbole,” Mr. Rubio said on CNN. “Panama City is catastrophic damage. Someone told me, ‘Mexico Beach is gone.’”
The other areas of greatest concern were the eastern parts of Panama City, Apalachicola and around Tyndall Air Force Base, said Brock Long, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.The other areas of greatest concern were the eastern parts of Panama City, Apalachicola and around Tyndall Air Force Base, said Brock Long, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Mr. Long said that he was equally concerned about communities in southwest Georgia, which received Category 2 wind speeds, because of the large number of mobile homes in that part of the state. “We are always worried about trees falling on manufactured homes and mobile homes,” he said.Mr. Long said that he was equally concerned about communities in southwest Georgia, which received Category 2 wind speeds, because of the large number of mobile homes in that part of the state. “We are always worried about trees falling on manufactured homes and mobile homes,” he said.
[Read more about why it strengthened so quickly here.][Read more about why it strengthened so quickly here.]
Early reports suggested significant damage. Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia said 450,000 homes and businesses were without power in the state, and that 35 hospitals or nursing homes were without electricity and operating with generators.Early reports suggested significant damage. Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia said 450,000 homes and businesses were without power in the state, and that 35 hospitals or nursing homes were without electricity and operating with generators.
“Right now, the main focus is going to be on debris removal so that power line trucks and repair crews can access the areas that are without power,” Mr. Deal said at the State Capitol in Atlanta.“Right now, the main focus is going to be on debris removal so that power line trucks and repair crews can access the areas that are without power,” Mr. Deal said at the State Capitol in Atlanta.
Mr. Long expected the search-and-rescue process to be challenging, given all the fallen trees, debris and downed power lines. He worried that the number of people killed in the storm would rise once crews reached places where people did not evacuate.Mr. Long expected the search-and-rescue process to be challenging, given all the fallen trees, debris and downed power lines. He worried that the number of people killed in the storm would rise once crews reached places where people did not evacuate.
“People do not live to tell the tale about storm surge,” he said.“People do not live to tell the tale about storm surge,” he said.
Florida officials also pleaded with residents to stay off the roads as crews tried to clear debris and emergency workers were scrambling to hard-hit areas. They asked people to avoid downed power lines, and not to drive through flooded areas. They urged residents and visitors to keep emergency phone lines open and, in some areas, to boil their water or use bottled water. They told them to position generators at least 15 feet from homes, and to stay indoors.Florida officials also pleaded with residents to stay off the roads as crews tried to clear debris and emergency workers were scrambling to hard-hit areas. They asked people to avoid downed power lines, and not to drive through flooded areas. They urged residents and visitors to keep emergency phone lines open and, in some areas, to boil their water or use bottled water. They told them to position generators at least 15 feet from homes, and to stay indoors.
In a somewhat unusual step, the state had activated a team from a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization that typically works in overseas disasters, the International Medical Corps, including 50 nurses, two hospital emergency department teams and one emergency hospital.In a somewhat unusual step, the state had activated a team from a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization that typically works in overseas disasters, the International Medical Corps, including 50 nurses, two hospital emergency department teams and one emergency hospital.
After a ferocious wallop of the Florida Panhandle, the tropical storm that was once Hurricane Michael slogged up through the Carolinas on Thursday, states that have had a lifetime’s worth of bad weather in the last few years. Disastrous floods swamped South Carolina in 2015, then Matthew hit in 2016, then Florence in September, and now this.After a ferocious wallop of the Florida Panhandle, the tropical storm that was once Hurricane Michael slogged up through the Carolinas on Thursday, states that have had a lifetime’s worth of bad weather in the last few years. Disastrous floods swamped South Carolina in 2015, then Matthew hit in 2016, then Florence in September, and now this.
“For North Carolina, Michael isn’t as bad as Florence, but it adds unwelcomed insult to injury, so we must be on alert,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement on Thursday.“For North Carolina, Michael isn’t as bad as Florence, but it adds unwelcomed insult to injury, so we must be on alert,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement on Thursday.
Michael is taking a very different track through the Carolinas; it is headed up through the west-central parts of the states, drenching mid-state cities and mountain towns — there was a minor landslide in far western North Carolina — while to a large degree sparing the eastern stretches that were inundated a month ago.Michael is taking a very different track through the Carolinas; it is headed up through the west-central parts of the states, drenching mid-state cities and mountain towns — there was a minor landslide in far western North Carolina — while to a large degree sparing the eastern stretches that were inundated a month ago.
Officials in places like Wilmington, N.C., reduced to a powerless island for days after Florence, are using terms like “inconvenience” to describe the potential effects of Michael. Officials in Appalachian counties are bracing for problems they had expected but largely dodged during Florence.Officials in places like Wilmington, N.C., reduced to a powerless island for days after Florence, are using terms like “inconvenience” to describe the potential effects of Michael. Officials in Appalachian counties are bracing for problems they had expected but largely dodged during Florence.
“The ground is already inundated, it’s been a very wet time,” said Will Holt, the emergency services director in mountainous Watauga County, N.C., where firefighters have already had to rescue people from flooded areas. “The wind is projected to pick back up as well.”“The ground is already inundated, it’s been a very wet time,” said Will Holt, the emergency services director in mountainous Watauga County, N.C., where firefighters have already had to rescue people from flooded areas. “The wind is projected to pick back up as well.”
Read more here about how the region hit by Florence is suffering again.Read more here about how the region hit by Florence is suffering again.