A fast and furious Hurricane Michael sped toward the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday night with 120 mph winds and a potential storm surge of 13 feet, giving tens of thousands of people precious little time to get out or board up.
Drawing energy from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the storm strengthened rapidly into a potentially devastating Category 3 and was getting much better organized after nightfall. Forecasters said Michael could be near a very dangerous Category 4 by landfall in the Florida Panhandle or the Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday.
Florida Prepares for Hurricane Michael
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A boarded up business is pictured as Hurricane Michael bears down on Carrabelle, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
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People look out to the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Michael approaches, Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Florida.
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Matthew Walker walks on the beach as Hurricane Michael approaches Panama City Beach, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
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An aerial picture of people visiting the beach while waiting for Hurricane Michael, Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Florida.