Hurricane Michael (Live Thread)
With Hurricane Michael now on the precipice of making landfall, and with dangerous weather not only expected but ongoing and certain to continue, we wanted to try using this space as a thread for updates about the storm. This thread will be updated from the top, so that the most recent updates are at the top of the post, beneath this explained.
Update 10: 4:34pm Eastern Time (SEW)
Video and stills from the Florida coast shows incredible storm surge and corresponding destruction.
A look at what houses in #Mexico Beach, #Florida look like right now. This is a follow up from the previous clip posted. They are now submerged and were no match for #HurricaneMichael (via Tessa Talarico) #Hurricane #Michael #HurricaneMichael2018 pic.twitter.com/GJENrhFJha
— Josh Benson (@WFLAJosh) October 10, 2018
Complete destruction to the northeastern side of this bank in Panama City, FL. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/d1eG2ymZVZ
— Jeff Gammons (@StormVisuals) October 10, 2018
Update 9: 2:50pm Eastern Time (SEW)
At least one wind gust of 128mph has now been reported. Tornado watches are being issued throughout parts of Florida and Georgia.
INCREDIBLE wind gust being reported at Panama City Airport. 128 mph! #HurricaneMichael #FLwx pic.twitter.com/hohgKI8i9W
— John Dissauer (@johndissauer) October 10, 2018
Update 8: 1:51pm Eastern Time (SEW)
Hurricane Michael is now being reported as one of the strongest storms to the United States, period, with no qualifications being offered on where it is hitting. It was previously being contextualized with regard for other Gulf hurricanes. It is now beyond that.
BREAKING: #HurricaneMichael made landfall around 1:30p in Mexico Beach, Fla, about 20 miles southeast of Panama City, with 155 mph winds… one of the strongest storm on record to hit U.S. https://t.co/m9fDmUWm5h pic.twitter.com/ZzkaEMeiZC
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 10, 2018
Table of 10 strongest continental US landfalling #hurricanes on record as ranked by minimum sea level pressure at landfall. #Michael ranks 3rd with a landfall pressure of 919 hPa. pic.twitter.com/JB8o1HREqO
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) October 10, 2018
Update 7: 1:37pm Eastern Time (SEW)
These seem bad.
INTENSE eye wall east side of Panama City beach with Hurricane #Michael @accuweather @breakingweather pic.twitter.com/4exA2CD6xO
— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) October 10, 2018
HURRICANE MICHEAL IN PANAMA CITY, FL!
https://t.co/cz22RI69eE— Texas Storm Chasers (@TxStormChasers) October 10, 2018
Update 6: 1:17pm Eastern Time (SEW)
Hurricane Michael’s pressure as of two hours ago had been measured at 928 millibars, with lower pressure being considered more dangerous. That meant Michael was being measured close to, but still higher, both Hurricanes Andrew (922) and Katrina (920). However, Michael is measuring at 919 millibars; the storm is making landfall now.
Hurricane #Michael central pressure has dropped to 919 mb. Catastrophic landfall on the Florida panhandle is now imminent. pic.twitter.com/A8xen9XkAd
— BuzzFeed Storm (@BuzzFeedStorm) October 10, 2018
Michael is making history. Pressure has dropped lower than Hurricane Andrew's at landfall. The lower the pressure, the stronger the storm. It now ranks as third lowest on record, only behind the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and Camille in 1969. Updates: https://t.co/m9fDmUWm5h pic.twitter.com/d1CjOybL2b
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 10, 2018
Update 5: 12:49pm Eastern Time (SEW)
Hurricane Michael, which is now making landfall, has sustained winds above 150mph. This bolsters all previous claims about the storm’s incredible strength.
#Michael now has max sustained winds of 150 mph – the only #hurricane with stronger max sustained winds this far north in the Gulf of Mexico was Hurricane Camille (1969). pic.twitter.com/rE5cmVX4R2
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) October 10, 2018
Just unreal. Winds of 160-170 mph being sampled by radar at 3500 ft agl with landfall imminent & catastrophic storm surge. This is such a rare sight to see from a landfalling hurricane and just exemplifies what a historic hurricane this is. Horrible situation. #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/qgyM2l46wp
— Jeremy Buckles (@JeremyBuckles) October 10, 2018
Meanwhile, video is starting to come in that captures the wind, the rain, and the surge. It is extremely daunting.
LIVE view from Indian Pass that shows increasing storm surge and winds! If you're not sheltered in place now, you need to be! #HurricaneMichael https://t.co/kBR8NCGoJb
— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) October 10, 2018
Update 4: 11:44am Eastern Time (SEW)
There is nothing good about reports like this.
People have called the EOC trying to get off SGI. There's no help for them. They're on their own emergency officials tell me
— Karl Etters (@KarlEtters) October 10, 2018
SGI is St. Georges Island. It is in the middle of the storm.
Update 3: 11:13am Eastern Time (SEW)
Forecasters are now projecting that Hurricane Michael will be among the top ten strongest storms to have made landfall in the United States. This projection is based on the storm’s measured pressure.
#HurricaneMichael is likely to rank among top 10 most intense hurricanes on record to hit U.S. (based on pressure). Updates: https://t.co/m9fDmUWm5h https://t.co/RCOMqqZGLH
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 10, 2018
Subsequent reports have the storm’s pressure continuing to drop. In essence, this means the storm is getting more powerful as it approaches land.
Update 2: 10:07am Eastern Time (SEW)
Florida’s government is now warning residents that it is too late to flee the strengthening storm, recommending that everybody in its path now shelter in place. The storm remains on track to be among the most devastating to ever hit Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The storm’s current winds are at 145mph which rates Michael as a Category 4. For those wondering, 157mph or higher is necessary for a Category 5 rating.
Forecasters, meanwhile, are continuing to not mess around about what they are seeing:
The situation for the Florida Panhandle could not be much worse. Waters are rapidly rising and tropical storm-force winds have arrived. "Potentially catastrophic" Cat 4 #HurricaneMichael is just a few hours from crashing ashore. Follow our updates here: https://t.co/m9fDmUWm5h pic.twitter.com/b6e28gTCv2
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 10, 2018
Update 1: 9:16am Eastern Time (SEW)
Hurricane Michael did not exactly come out of nowhere – forecasters were worried about it earlier this week – but its sudden increase in intensity, coupled with its current tracking, has meteorologists describing the storm as one of the strongest they have ever seen.
I've never seen such an intense hurricane this close to the northern Gulf Coast. Not Katrina, not Opal. #HurricaneMichael #flwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/DQ5yk8pkmQ
— Greg Postel (@GregPostel) October 10, 2018
The storm’s winds are now at 140 miles per hour, which makes it stronger than any storm that has ever previously hit this part of the country. Among the things feeding the storm’s growth are the current weather conditions. They are, in a word, perfect for creating a monstrous storm.
#HurricaneMichael is in an ideal environment for maximum intensity … little negative wind shear, warm water, moist air mass across entire Eastern US as major cold front races to catch up to hurricane. Atypical for mid-October. pic.twitter.com/lgGszdImDw
— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) October 10, 2018