Hurricane-force winds extend up to 45 miles from Michael's center, with tropical-storm-force winds as far as 175 miles away. At 155 mph at 918 mb of pressure, this is the most intense storm to hit the panhandle in recorded history.
See images of Hurricane Michael as it strikes the
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Michael was about 5 miles southwest of
"With the landfall of Michael's eye occurring, everyone in the landfall area is reminded not to venture out into the relative calm of the eye, as hazardous winds will increase very quickly as the eye passes," the hurricane center said.
A wind gust of 130 mph was taken at a
Those winds were tearing some buildings apart in
President
The storm surge could reach 9-14 from
Michael is expected to dump 4-8 inches of rain in the
"This rainfall could lead to life-threatening flash floods," the hurricane center said.
"Tropical-storm and hurricane conditions are spreading onshore along the
With more than 375,000 people up and down the
"I really fear for what things are going to look like there tomorrow at this time,"
The unexpected brute quickly sprang from a weekend tropical depression, reaching Category 4 early Wednesday as it drew energy from the
"The time to evacuate has come and gone ... SEEK REFUGE IMMEDIATELY,"
The storm appeared to be so powerful -- with a central pressure dropping to 919 millibars -- that it is expected to remain a hurricane as it moves over
"We are in new territory," National Hurricane Center Meteorologist
With
Several hours ahead of landfall, seawater already was lapping over the docks at
Huge waves pounded the white sands of
More than 5,000 evacuees sought shelter in the capital city, which is about 25 miles from the coast but is covered by live oak and pine trees that can fall and cause power outages even in smaller storms.
Only a skeleton staff remained at
The base's aircraft, which include F-22 Raptors, were flown hundreds of miles away as a precaution.
Evacuations spanned 22 counties from the Florida
"We've told those who stayed to have their life jackets on when the storm comes,"
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