Evacuations Have Already Started Throughout The Florida Panhandle

QUICK UPDATE ON MICHAEL

Latest flight data has just come in from the Hurricane Hunter aircraft and flight level winds have now increased to 109 knots. This would put maximum sustained winds at the surface at around 113 MPH. If that is the case, the next update from the National Hurricane Center will have Michael classified as a category 3 hurricane, making it a major hurricane. Movement is still to the north at 12 MPH. Forecast track still seems to be on track.

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS TAKING PLACE IN FLORIDA

Bay County (Zones A, B, C)
Citrus County (Zone A)
Dixie County (Zone A)
Franklin County
Gadsden County
Gulf County
Jackson County
Levy County (Coastal Locations)
Okaloosa County
Taylor County
Wakulla County (Zone A)
Walton County (Zones A, B)

We are already seeing reports of gas stations running out of gas in portions of the Florida Panhandle, while some are limiting amounts that can be purchased so gas will be available to more customers. We are also starting to see some larger slowdowns on the major highways and interstates on the map.

LATEST KEY MESSAGES

1. Life-threatening storm surge is likely along portions of the coasts of the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend, and Nature Coast, and a storm surge warning is in effect for these areas. Water levels will rise well in advance of the center of Michael, and residents within the storm surge warning area should finish preparations to protect life and property today.

2. Everyone in the hurricane warning area along the Florida Gulf Coast should prepare for life-threatening major hurricane winds associated with the core of Michael. Hurricane force winds will also extend well inland across portions of the Florida Panhandle, southern Georgia, and southeast Alabama as Michael moves inland.

3. Heavy rainfall from Michael could produce life-threatening flash flooding from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region into portions of Georgia and South Carolina.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS IN ALABAMA DUE TO MICHAEL

Barbour County
• Barbour County Schools- closed Wednesday
• Eufaula City Schools- closed Wednesday

Coffee County
• Coffee County Schools – Tuesday’s after school activities canceled, closed Wednesday
• Enterprise City Schools – closed Wednesday, Tuesday’s after school activities canceled
• Elba City Schools- Tuesday’s after school activities canceled, closed Wednesday

Covington County
• Andalusia City Schools – closed Wednesday
• Opp City Schools- closed Wednesday
• Covington County Schools- closed Wednesday

Crenshaw County
• Crenshaw County Schools – Tuesday after school activities canceled, closed Wednesday

Geneva County
• Geneva County Schools – on Fall break

Henry County
• Henry County Schools – closed Wednesday

Houston County
• Dothan City Schools – closing at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Closed Wednesday.
• Houston County Schools – closed all week for Fall break
• Wallace Community College, Dothan campus – closing at noon Tuesday. Closed Wednesday.

We’ll continue to have more updates throughout the event.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS