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 local couple, who asked not to be named, watch waves come ashore in advance of Hurricane Michael in Pensacola, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.

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Justin Davis, left, and Brock Mclean board up a business in advance of Hurricane Michael in Destin, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.

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A tank drives along a street in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of Russian troops to two breakaway areas in eastern Ukraine following the recognition of their independence.

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A woman, who refused to give her name, looks out over the water from her porch amid fears she will never see her home again as Hurricane Michael bears down on Alligator Point, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.