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Hurricane Michael: deadly storm hits Carolinas after 'obliterating' Florida coast – live updates Hurricane Michael latest: deadly storm batters North Carolina – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who is running for Senate, is pulling out of a debate scheduled for Oct. 16, asking for a two week delay for the face off.
Scott, a Republican, is running against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and was slated to debate him on CNN next Tuesday.
“Due to the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Michael, Gov. Scott will be solely focused on response and recovery efforts,” his campaign manager Jackie Schutz Zeckman said in a statement, per Florida Politics.
“We are sure Sen. Nelson agrees. So, today, the Scott for Florida campaign has asked CNN to postpone the debate between Gov. Scott and Sen. Nelson for two weeks,” she said. “We appreciate CNN understanding the dire situation in North Florida...Gov. Scott looks forward to debating, but will have no time for campaigning in the next few weeks as he focuses exclusively on recovery efforts for the foreseeable future.”
Here’s an update from Richard Luscombe in Miami:
As the most powerful and destructive cyclone to make a direct hit on the United States in 26 years, Hurricane Michael will force its affected communities to embark on an expensive, intensive and lengthy programme of rebuilding.
Exactly how that construction takes place will be dictated by the last monster storm to make landfall in Florida, category 5 Hurricane Andrew in 1992 that obliterated the south-west Miami-Dade city of Homestead in the same way Michael reduced the buildings of Mexico Beach to matchwood.
Andrew exposed significant shortfalls, and in some cases a complete absence, of standards in Florida’s building codes and inspection requirements, with many of the buildings shoddily constructed or poorly maintained, and no match for catastrophic 165mph winds.
The storm’s buzzsaw passage across Miami-Dade acted as a wake-up call to state legislators. In the years following, they seized control of building codes from inconsistent local authorities and unified standards under the Florida Building Commission. Requirements for everything from roof anchors and hurricane shutters to the quality of construction materials and the scale of wind resistance now fall under a single Florida building code, a broad set of stringent standards to which any new construction or damage repairs following Michael’s devastation must adhere.
While the rebuilding of Homestead, now transformed into a busy and vibrant inland city of almost 70,000 (more than twice that of its pre-storm population), and that of the Florida Panhandle’s more remote waterfront communities might appear at opposite ends of the spectrum, the code means everything must meet identical standards and demonstrate the same resiliency to future storms.
Meanwhile, to Floridians weary of hurricanes of taking aim at their state, buildings fall simply into one of two categories - those built before 1992 and more vulnerable to any category of hurricane, and those that went up post-Andrew and most likely to be left standing after a hurricane of Michael’s magnitude blows through.
Tyndall Air Force Base is closed indefinitely after suffering “widespread catastrophic damage,” officials there say.
The base is near Panama City, in one of the areas hardest hit by the storm.
Recovery teams found roof damage to nearly every home on the base, officials wrote on its Facebook page. Base leaders do not have an estimate of when it will reopen, and an evacuation order remains in effect.
“At this point, Tyndall residents and evacuated personnel should remain at their safe location,” said Col. Brian Laidlaw, 325th Fighter Wing commander. “We are actively developing plans to reunite families and plan to provide safe passage back to base housing.”
Michael is causing flash floods in parts of North Carolina and Virginia, the National Hurricane Center says.
Now a tropical storm, Michael is centered about 25 miles east of Greensboro, North Carolina with sustained winds of 50mph.
On the forecast track, the center of Michael is expected to continue to move across central and eastern North Carolina today, move across southeastern Virginia this evening, and move into the Atlantic Ocean tonight.
Mexico Beach resident Scott Cawthron told CNN his home was destroyed around him as he huddled with his elderly mother in a closet.Mexico Beach resident Scott Cawthron told CNN his home was destroyed around him as he huddled with his elderly mother in a closet.
He and his mother were both injured by debris but managed to escape.He and his mother were both injured by debris but managed to escape.
“It’s in pieces. The roof’s over there and the structure’s over there underneath another house,” he said of the home.“It’s in pieces. The roof’s over there and the structure’s over there underneath another house,” he said of the home.
Cawthron said the water rose nine to 12 feet, as he and his mother took shelter in an upstairs closet. “The floor started sinking underneath us,” he told CNN.Cawthron said the water rose nine to 12 feet, as he and his mother took shelter in an upstairs closet. “The floor started sinking underneath us,” he told CNN.
He said once he realized how dangerous the storm would be, it was too late to evacuate. “By the time I realized we were probably in a big mess...by then it was too late.”He said once he realized how dangerous the storm would be, it was too late to evacuate. “By the time I realized we were probably in a big mess...by then it was too late.”
Scott Cawthron from Mexico Beach laughs when asked if he has a home there. "Well, it's in pieces. The roof's over there, and the structure's over there underneath another house." He and his mom survived the storm huddled in a closet as the house crumbled around him. pic.twitter.com/Y3BPsKqQYBScott Cawthron from Mexico Beach laughs when asked if he has a home there. "Well, it's in pieces. The roof's over there, and the structure's over there underneath another house." He and his mom survived the storm huddled in a closet as the house crumbled around him. pic.twitter.com/Y3BPsKqQYB
He and his mother lost everything in the storm - and he has still been unable to get in touch with other family members in Mexico Beach.He and his mother lost everything in the storm - and he has still been unable to get in touch with other family members in Mexico Beach.
“Everything we had was in there. When the water started coming, all I cared about was my mom,” Cawthron said. “I wasn’t planning on evacuating through the side of the house as the wall basically just fell apart.”“Everything we had was in there. When the water started coming, all I cared about was my mom,” Cawthron said. “I wasn’t planning on evacuating through the side of the house as the wall basically just fell apart.”
The man said he was hit by a piece of sheet metal, and told his mother to keep her eyes shut as sand, gravel and pieces of metal flew threw their air. She suffered a bad gash on her foot.The man said he was hit by a piece of sheet metal, and told his mother to keep her eyes shut as sand, gravel and pieces of metal flew threw their air. She suffered a bad gash on her foot.
“I’m from the south. I always think I’m tougher than I probably am,” Cawthron told CNN. “I wish I would have got her out.”“I’m from the south. I always think I’m tougher than I probably am,” Cawthron told CNN. “I wish I would have got her out.”
FEMA responders offered first aid treatment, food and water, and the man said he is now focused on getting his mother to a hospital as soon as possible.FEMA responders offered first aid treatment, food and water, and the man said he is now focused on getting his mother to a hospital as soon as possible.
The Panama City News Herald has an interactive map with locations where damage has been reported and photos of the scenes.The Panama City News Herald has an interactive map with locations where damage has been reported and photos of the scenes.
Officials have told evacuated residents to stay away for now and are turning people back at checkpoints, the paper reported.Officials have told evacuated residents to stay away for now and are turning people back at checkpoints, the paper reported.
“It looks like an atomic bomb had hit our city,” David Barnes, a DJ in Panama City, told the News Herald. “Damage has been widespread.”“It looks like an atomic bomb had hit our city,” David Barnes, a DJ in Panama City, told the News Herald. “Damage has been widespread.”
The News Herald’s own building on 11th St. was among those damaged.The News Herald’s own building on 11th St. was among those damaged.
Mary Rose told the paper she rode out the storm with her cat in a senior living complex in Panama City.Mary Rose told the paper she rode out the storm with her cat in a senior living complex in Panama City.
“We were told to evacuate, but my circumstances don’t allow me to at this point,” she said. “It was really scary, actually. And it’s lonely.”“We were told to evacuate, but my circumstances don’t allow me to at this point,” she said. “It was really scary, actually. And it’s lonely.”
Rose said she and other senior citizens were stuck after roads were blocked by debris, and were worried about running out of water if they had to remain there more than a few days.Rose said she and other senior citizens were stuck after roads were blocked by debris, and were worried about running out of water if they had to remain there more than a few days.
On Wednesday, our Jamiles Lartey visited Kindel Lanes in Marianna, Florida, where the owner and a group of his neighbors were riding out the storm.On Wednesday, our Jamiles Lartey visited Kindel Lanes in Marianna, Florida, where the owner and a group of his neighbors were riding out the storm.
He returns today to find the roof was ripped off the building by the storm. The people inside retreated to a bathroom and weren’t hurt.He returns today to find the roof was ripped off the building by the storm. The people inside retreated to a bathroom and weren’t hurt.
Sad news from Kindel Lanes where I reported from yesterday, that the owner and a handful of friends and neighbors were riding out the storm. The roof was ripped clear off causing catastrophic damage to the building. Luckily everyone is ok, they retreated to an interior restroom. pic.twitter.com/5TgbLKjc16Sad news from Kindel Lanes where I reported from yesterday, that the owner and a handful of friends and neighbors were riding out the storm. The roof was ripped clear off causing catastrophic damage to the building. Luckily everyone is ok, they retreated to an interior restroom. pic.twitter.com/5TgbLKjc16
A Hibbet Sports store in Marianna was also destroyed.A Hibbet Sports store in Marianna was also destroyed.
This is the inside of Hibbet Sports in Marianna where the front wall and roof collapsed. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/m8VGL8XLVuThis is the inside of Hibbet Sports in Marianna where the front wall and roof collapsed. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/m8VGL8XLVu
Though only two deaths have been reported from Hurricane Michael so far, the number is likely to rise.Though only two deaths have been reported from Hurricane Michael so far, the number is likely to rise.
In Mexico Beach, which FEMA administrator Brock Long called “ground zero” for the storm, whole blocks of homes were wiped away.In Mexico Beach, which FEMA administrator Brock Long called “ground zero” for the storm, whole blocks of homes were wiped away.
As the storm closed in, the town’s mayor reported that 280 residents did not evacuate and chose to ride out the storm in Mexico Beach.As the storm closed in, the town’s mayor reported that 280 residents did not evacuate and chose to ride out the storm in Mexico Beach.
The National Guard arrived in town, and search and rescue teams were going door to door trying to account for people. Gov. Rick Scott reported that on Wednesday night, the National Guard found 20 people who had survived the direct hit and were uninjured.The National Guard arrived in town, and search and rescue teams were going door to door trying to account for people. Gov. Rick Scott reported that on Wednesday night, the National Guard found 20 people who had survived the direct hit and were uninjured.
Another angle of #MexicoBeach Utter devastation. Winds, storm surge...@breakingweather @bclemms @accuweather pic.twitter.com/xgf4hDoxLbAnother angle of #MexicoBeach Utter devastation. Winds, storm surge...@breakingweather @bclemms @accuweather pic.twitter.com/xgf4hDoxLb
Before v. After ... homes swept off their foundations in Mexico Beach #HurricaneMichael #flwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/S7mWnh9haeBefore v. After ... homes swept off their foundations in Mexico Beach #HurricaneMichael #flwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/S7mWnh9hae
MEXICO BEACH DESTROYED: There are absolutely no words to describe the destruction Hurricane Michael left behind at Mexico Beach, Florida when it slammed the area with 155 mph winds.These photos shared by NBC show so many homes completely destroyed. pic.twitter.com/MZroCdCzgUMEXICO BEACH DESTROYED: There are absolutely no words to describe the destruction Hurricane Michael left behind at Mexico Beach, Florida when it slammed the area with 155 mph winds.These photos shared by NBC show so many homes completely destroyed. pic.twitter.com/MZroCdCzgU
Conditions are dire at Panama City’s Bay Medical Center Sacred heart, which is evacuating about 200 patients.Conditions are dire at Panama City’s Bay Medical Center Sacred heart, which is evacuating about 200 patients.
The New York Times reported scenes of devastation and desperation there Thursday.The New York Times reported scenes of devastation and desperation there Thursday.
Injured residents were being turned away when they showed up for medical care, with the emergency room boarded up.Injured residents were being turned away when they showed up for medical care, with the emergency room boarded up.
Among them was Wain Hall, 23, who had a bloody head injury. “I got a busted head, and so you refuse me medical attention here?” he told the Times. “I have lost everything and everyone keeps turning us away.”Among them was Wain Hall, 23, who had a bloody head injury. “I got a busted head, and so you refuse me medical attention here?” he told the Times. “I have lost everything and everyone keeps turning us away.”
The hospital had only partial electricity from generator and had no water, with toilets filling up. The fourth floor had flooded, one staff member told the Times, and windows were broken.The hospital had only partial electricity from generator and had no water, with toilets filling up. The fourth floor had flooded, one staff member told the Times, and windows were broken.
“It was like hell,” Dr. Brian Roake, the head of the anesthesiology department, who stayed at the hospital through the storm, told the Times. Staff had to scramble to move critically ill patients from the intensive care unit after outer panes of windows began breaking.“It was like hell,” Dr. Brian Roake, the head of the anesthesiology department, who stayed at the hospital through the storm, told the Times. Staff had to scramble to move critically ill patients from the intensive care unit after outer panes of windows began breaking.
The 11-year-old girl killed in Georgia has been identified as Sarah Radney.The 11-year-old girl killed in Georgia has been identified as Sarah Radney.
Seminole County coroner Chad Smith made the identification Thursday, according to the Associated Press.Seminole County coroner Chad Smith made the identification Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
A mobile carport was picked up by the wind, crashed through the roof of the home where the girl was staying, and hit her in the head.A mobile carport was picked up by the wind, crashed through the roof of the home where the girl was staying, and hit her in the head.
The death is one of two reported so far from the storm. Another man was killed in Gadsden County, Florida when a falling tree crashed through the roof of his home.The death is one of two reported so far from the storm. Another man was killed in Gadsden County, Florida when a falling tree crashed through the roof of his home.
The two major hospitals in Panama City are evacuating their patients and shutting down due to heavy damage from Hurricane Michael, the Associated Press reported.The two major hospitals in Panama City are evacuating their patients and shutting down due to heavy damage from Hurricane Michael, the Associated Press reported.
Bay Medical Sacred Heart is transferring about 200 patients to other hospitals in Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama. Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center is also evacuating all patients.Bay Medical Sacred Heart is transferring about 200 patients to other hospitals in Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama. Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center is also evacuating all patients.
Sacred Heart’s statement says the transfers began at 3 a.m. Thursday with 39 critical care patients and would take about 48 hours to complete. The hospital sustained damage including blown out windows, a roof collapse in a maintenance and storage building, and a cracked wall. No patients were injured.Sacred Heart’s statement says the transfers began at 3 a.m. Thursday with 39 critical care patients and would take about 48 hours to complete. The hospital sustained damage including blown out windows, a roof collapse in a maintenance and storage building, and a cracked wall. No patients were injured.
Here’s an update from the Guardian’s Oliver Milman:Here’s an update from the Guardian’s Oliver Milman:
The ferocity of Hurricane Michael has caught even some storm observers a little by surprise. Within two days, Michael had turned from a tropical storm into a category four hurricane that was the strongest to hit the continental US since 1992.The ferocity of Hurricane Michael has caught even some storm observers a little by surprise. Within two days, Michael had turned from a tropical storm into a category four hurricane that was the strongest to hit the continental US since 1992.
Hurricanes that intensify quickly are doing so far faster and stronger than they were 30 years ago, scientists have found. A sharp speed-up was present in each of the trio of major storms – Harvey, Irma and Maria – that caused widespread devastation in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico last year.Hurricanes that intensify quickly are doing so far faster and stronger than they were 30 years ago, scientists have found. A sharp speed-up was present in each of the trio of major storms – Harvey, Irma and Maria – that caused widespread devastation in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico last year.
A recent study by US researchers found that these sort of storms now feature average wind speeds that increase around 13mph more in a 24-hour period than they did 30 years ago.A recent study by US researchers found that these sort of storms now feature average wind speeds that increase around 13mph more in a 24-hour period than they did 30 years ago.
Much of this is down to a natural climate cycle known as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, which warms waters in the Atlantic. But as ocean waters worldwide heat up due to climate change, man-made influence is expected to play a larger and larger role.Much of this is down to a natural climate cycle known as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, which warms waters in the Atlantic. But as ocean waters worldwide heat up due to climate change, man-made influence is expected to play a larger and larger role.
Experts now measure hurricanes by their wind speeds in categories 1 through 5, but meteorologists have begun to wonder about the potential for a category 6 hurricane as storms grow ever more powerful.Experts now measure hurricanes by their wind speeds in categories 1 through 5, but meteorologists have begun to wonder about the potential for a category 6 hurricane as storms grow ever more powerful.
Hurricane Michael was an “unbelievably destructive, powerful” storm, Donald Trump said at the White House.Hurricane Michael was an “unbelievably destructive, powerful” storm, Donald Trump said at the White House.
“We’ve not seen destruction like that in a long time,” Trump said at a bill signing.“We’ve not seen destruction like that in a long time,” Trump said at a bill signing.
The hurricane was massively powerful but the silver lining was that it moved through fast. “It went through Florida very, very quickly. It didn’t linger,” Trump said.The hurricane was massively powerful but the silver lining was that it moved through fast. “It went through Florida very, very quickly. It didn’t linger,” Trump said.
The president also defended his decision to hold a political rally in Pennsylvania Wednesday night instead of canceling it to manage storm response.The president also defended his decision to hold a political rally in Pennsylvania Wednesday night instead of canceling it to manage storm response.
“I couldn’t tell people that had been standing in line for a day and a half waiting to get into the arena that I’m not going,” Trump said. “I wasn’t going to disappoint thousands and thousands of people.”“I couldn’t tell people that had been standing in line for a day and a half waiting to get into the arena that I’m not going,” Trump said. “I wasn’t going to disappoint thousands and thousands of people.”
“We’re getting tremendous marks for the job that we did,” Trump said of the disaster response.“We’re getting tremendous marks for the job that we did,” Trump said of the disaster response.
The Guardian’s Jamiles Lartey, who weathered the storm in Marianna, Florida, has re-established contact and will be filing a dispatch on the ground shortly.The Guardian’s Jamiles Lartey, who weathered the storm in Marianna, Florida, has re-established contact and will be filing a dispatch on the ground shortly.
Hey all thanks for your concerns and well wishes. I'm safe here in Marianna-- Towers are back online, no doubt thanks to the folks I met yesterday. The damage here is remarkable and people are telling me-- unprecedented. Will have updates shortly at @GuardianUS and on here. pic.twitter.com/6TCSmEbSZbHey all thanks for your concerns and well wishes. I'm safe here in Marianna-- Towers are back online, no doubt thanks to the folks I met yesterday. The damage here is remarkable and people are telling me-- unprecedented. Will have updates shortly at @GuardianUS and on here. pic.twitter.com/6TCSmEbSZb
In Marianna, which is inland from the hardest-hit communities on the coast, social media posts showed widespread damage.In Marianna, which is inland from the hardest-hit communities on the coast, social media posts showed widespread damage.
Downtown Marianna. pic.twitter.com/ml3WossdNxDowntown Marianna. pic.twitter.com/ml3WossdNx
The view out my parents’ front door in Marianna. Used to be 40+ foot tall pine trees. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/ZFfMah4EUGThe view out my parents’ front door in Marianna. Used to be 40+ foot tall pine trees. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/ZFfMah4EUG
Not even going to lie this was scary. If got it this bad in Marianna I can only imagine the damage in PC😩🤦🏽‍♀️ #PrayingForThePanhandle pic.twitter.com/v0UC1sxP6tNot even going to lie this was scary. If got it this bad in Marianna I can only imagine the damage in PC😩🤦🏽‍♀️ #PrayingForThePanhandle pic.twitter.com/v0UC1sxP6t
A few of the photos from Marianna, Fl. These were taken in the middle of eye. When it came through, it sounded like a loud freight train. Prayers for everyone involved with this storm. #HurricaneMichael eye #hurricanemichael pic.twitter.com/KpyrcfdpjWA few of the photos from Marianna, Fl. These were taken in the middle of eye. When it came through, it sounded like a loud freight train. Prayers for everyone involved with this storm. #HurricaneMichael eye #hurricanemichael pic.twitter.com/KpyrcfdpjW
Just pulled into Marianna, FL & their is damage in every direction. Trees are blocking roads, power is down, roofs have been ripped off homes @WDHN pic.twitter.com/A7MPUXGKYFJust pulled into Marianna, FL & their is damage in every direction. Trees are blocking roads, power is down, roofs have been ripped off homes @WDHN pic.twitter.com/A7MPUXGKYF
Marianna is torn up #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/xkio7rdGKGMarianna is torn up #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/xkio7rdGKG
A federal judge has rejected a push to extend Florida’s voter registration deadline because of Hurricane Michael, the Associated Press reported.A federal judge has rejected a push to extend Florida’s voter registration deadline because of Hurricane Michael, the Associated Press reported.
US district judge Robert Hinkle ruled late Wednesday that there was “no justification” to extend the deadline, according to AP.US district judge Robert Hinkle ruled late Wednesday that there was “no justification” to extend the deadline, according to AP.
The deadline was Tuesday. Florida secretary of state Ken Detzner told local election officials that if their offices were closed Tuesday for the storm, they could accept applications for a single day when they reopened.The deadline was Tuesday. Florida secretary of state Ken Detzner told local election officials that if their offices were closed Tuesday for the storm, they could accept applications for a single day when they reopened.
The Florida Democratic party sued in an effort to get the deadline extended by a week, but the judge declined to do so. The general election is Nov. 6.The Florida Democratic party sued in an effort to get the deadline extended by a week, but the judge declined to do so. The general election is Nov. 6.