The NHC predicts these coastal regions can expect 9 to 13 feet of storm surge, as Michael’s winds force a wall of water onto the low-lying shore. Rivers and streams that typically drain into the ocean can get clogged farther upstream, forcing water levels to rise. A National Ocean Service water level station at Apalachicola recently reported almost 6.5 feet of inundation above ground level.
Hurricane Michael will also cause almost one million people to be without power, not just on the coast but inland as well in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
A Flash Flood Watch and Tropical Storm Watch have been issued for Wayne County and surrounding areas.
Hurricane Michael will strengthen to become a major storm before it makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami (NHC) said Tuesday, Sputnik reporeted.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan bluntly advised residents choosing to ride it out that first-responders won’t be able to reach them while Michael smashes into the coast.
Warmer water acts as fuel for a hurricane, helping it develop into a more destructive, windier storm. A National Ocean Service water level station at Apalachicola recently reported almost 5.5 feet of inundation above ground level.
Hurricane Michael is on track to be the strongest hurricane to hit the United States in 50 years, and the third strongest ever.
The brute storm that sprang from a weekend tropical depression gained in fury and size just hours ahead of Wednesday’s projected midday landfall, packed 125 mph (200 kph) winds as a risky Category 3 storm. The sustained 150 miles per hour winds make it not far from a Category 5 storm – the cut off between Category 4 and 5 is wind speeds to 156 miles per hour.
– Panama City Beach is expected to get a direct hit by Hurricane Michael.
The hurricane was located at about 335 miles south of Panama City. It expected the storm to turn due north tonight, then northeastward on Wednesday. With Michael’s winds projected to be even stronger, residents there were urged to evacuate inland.
Central pressure is the measure of how much the atmosphere in the middle of a storm weighs. A storm with that power hasn’t struck the Florida Panhandle since Hurricane Dennis in 2005.
Tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rainfall, possible isolated tornadoes, coastal flooding, and unsafe surf conditions are possible in SC, according to the National Weather Service.
After landfall as a Category 4 storm, Michael will march northeast through the southeast USA and remain at least a Category 1 storm well into Georgia. Tropical-storm force winds extending 185 miles (295 kilometers) from the center were already lashing the coast.
Almost 1,200 Gulf Power employees and 330 Gulf Power contractors shift to storm duty roles to restore power when a storm hits to ensure power is restored as quickly and safely as possible for their customers.
Michael was forecast to have the power to uproot trees, block roads and knock out power for days by the time it hits Florida Wednesday.