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'Monstrous Hurricane' Michael Takes Aim at Florida Panhandle

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration public affairs officer Dennis Feltgen updates the progress of Hurricane Michael on a large map, Oct. 9, 2018, at the Hurricane Center in Miami.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration public affairs officer Dennis Feltgen updates the progress of Hurricane Michael on a large map, Oct. 9, 2018, at the Hurricane Center in Miami.

Hurricane Michael is getting stronger as it barrels through the Gulf of Mexico, and forecasters say it could approach Category 4 status before it slams into the Florida Panhandle.

As of late Tuesday, Michael was a Category 3 storm located about 400 kilometers south of Panama City.

Michael's top sustained winds were 195 kilometers per hour. But the storm is gaining energy from the warm Gulf waters and forecasters said it could be close to a Category 4 when it makes landfall around midday Wednesday.

Hurricane warnings have been issued for the Alabama-Florida border eastward. Tornadoes and as much as 30 centimeters of rain are expected in some areas.

Florida Governor Rick Scott is calling Michael a "monstrous hurricane," warning that it could bring "total devastation" to parts of the state. He is urging residents not to ignore evacuation orders and to pay close attention to news reports.

Forecasters were warning the Panhandle and Big Bend areas could see storm surges of 2.5 to 4 meters.

President Donald Trump said federal emergency officials are standing by.

The National Hurricane Center said Michael is the first major storm to hit the Florida Panhandle since Hurricane Dennis in 2005.

Florida Prepares for Hurricane Michael

A local couple, who asked not to be named, watch waves come ashore in advance of Hurricane Michael in Pensacola, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
1/12 A local couple, who asked not to be named, watch waves come ashore in advance of Hurricane Michael in Pensacola, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
Justin Davis, left, and Brock Mclean board up a business in advance of Hurricane Michael in Destin, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
2/12 Justin Davis, left, and Brock Mclean board up a business in advance of Hurricane Michael in Destin, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
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.
3/12 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.
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.
4/12 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.
A dock is seen underwater a day before Hurricane Michael comes ashore in Carrabelle, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
5/12 A dock is seen underwater a day before Hurricane Michael comes ashore in Carrabelle, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
This satellite image made available by NOAA shows Hurricane Michael, center, in the Gulf of Mexico, Oct. 9, 2018, at 3:17 p.m. EDT.
6/12 This satellite image made available by NOAA shows Hurricane Michael, center, in the Gulf of Mexico, Oct. 9, 2018, at 3:17 p.m. EDT.
Waves crash along a pier as Hurricane Michael approaches Panama City Beach, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
7/12 Waves crash along a pier as Hurricane Michael approaches Panama City Beach, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
Krystal Day, of Homosassa, Fla., leads a sandbag assembly line at the Old Port Cove restaurant, Oct. 9, 2018, in Ozello, Fla.
8/12 Krystal Day, of Homosassa, Fla., leads a sandbag assembly line at the Old Port Cove restaurant, Oct. 9, 2018, in Ozello, Fla.
A boarded up business is pictured as Hurricane Michael bears down on Carrabelle, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
9/12 A boarded up business is pictured as Hurricane Michael bears down on Carrabelle, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
People look out to the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Michael approaches, Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Florida.
10/12 People look out to the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Michael approaches, Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Matthew Walker walks on the beach as Hurricane Michael approaches Panama City Beach, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
11/12 Matthew Walker walks on the beach as Hurricane Michael approaches Panama City Beach, Florida, Oct. 9, 2018.
An aerial picture of people visiting the beach while waiting for Hurricane Michael, Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Florida.
12/12 An aerial picture of people visiting the beach while waiting for Hurricane Michael, Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Florida.
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Hurricane Michael is a fast-moving storm that forecasters said will quickly weaken as it moves across land. The storm will drift into the Mid-Atlantic States and out to sea by Friday.

Michael will strike the U.S. after having soaked parts of Central America and Cuba with heavy rains, causing flooding and knocking out power.

At least 13 storm-related deaths have been reported in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

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