Michael Threatens North Florida, Get Ready!

Michael is looking like a significant threat to the Northeast Gulf Coast.  The storm is a strong tropical storm for now, likely to be a hurricane sometime later today.



The storm is forecast to be close to major hurricane status when it impacts the Florida Panhandle or Big Bend, probably on Wednesday:



Hurricane watches are already up for all of the Panhandle and Big Bend.

Some of the model forecasts for the storm are quite concerning:

https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1049246905564372993

The European weather model is forecasting over 100 mph wind gusts to extend inland all the way to Tallahassee. If this happens, it would be a significant problem in terms of power outages, and damage to trees, roofs, and even some structures.

I urge everyone in the watch areas, and well inland, to finalize preparations today.  The storm will probably make landfall sometime Wednesday late morning or afternoon, but nasty weather could arrive as soon as tomorrow night:



As the forecast shows, Michael may also impact the Carolinas with wind and rain after moving inland, which is not a welcome situation after the devastating flooding of Florence last month.  This storm should be moving much more quickly, but even a few more inches of rainfall could be extremely problematic.

Here are some preparedness links:

National Hurricane Center

Florida Evacuation Zones

FSU Hurricane History and Preparedness

City of Tallahassee Hurricane Preparedness

Please take this storm seriously, and be safe.

Andy