#13,572
Hurricane and tropical storm watches have been posted along the gulf coast in anticipation that tropical storm Michael - currently in the Western Caribbean - will intensify into a hurricane later today.
Some models suggest that this storm could become a strong CAT 2 or perhaps even a CAT 3 before landfall, but intensity forecasting remains difficult.Current watches include:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Alabama-Florida border to Suwannee River Florida
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Suwannee River to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay * Alabama-Florida border to the Mississippi-Alabama borderSome of these watches will likely be upgraded to warnings later today or tonight. Coastal residents as far south as Anna Maria Island (including all of Tampa Bay) could experience storm surge flooding.
Residents in the panhandle of Florida will likely take the brunt of this storm, but those who live further inland - including in Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas - may see significant impacts from flooding, and downed trees and power lines.
This morning's key messages from the NHC are:
While Michael isn't quite a hurricane yet, and is still south of the western tip of Cuba, it is expected to rapidly intensify over the extremely warm gulf waters, and increase its forward speed, putting it in the northern Gulf in about 48 hours.
From the 5am Discussion by the NHC.
Some storm surge impacts, and the arrival of tropical storm force winds, are expected along Florida's west coast, starting tomorrow. Which means residents in the path of this storm have a limited window of time in which to prepare.
For some recent blogs on how to prepare for a hurricane, and deal with the aftermath, you may wish to revisit:
#Natlprep: No Time Like The Present To Prepare
#NatlPrep: For A Brighter Day (and Night).
#NatlPrep: After The Storm Passes
