Hurricane Michael Speeds Closer; Some Florida Evacuations Ordered

PENSACOLA, FL – Some mandatory evacuation orders and school closures were issued on Monday in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend area as Hurricane Michael spun toward Florida, gaining strength in the warm Gulf waters.

The National Hurricane Center said Michael could be a Category 3 hurricane with 120-mph winds by the time it reaches the Panhandle. Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 35 Florida counties from Manatee County to Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in the Panhandle.

Projections show the hurricane hitting just south of Panama City but Ken Graham, director of the hurricane center, said that's only a guess.

"We always talk about not really paying attention to the exact point of landfall because the extent of impact could stretch well outside the cone," said Graham. The cone of impact, which is now under a Hurricane Watch, stretches from Crystal River to Pensacola.

Patch is tracking every move of Tropical Storm Michael. Get all the updates on the storm by subscribing to Patch's free breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

Graham said low-lying areas along the coast are "incredibly vulnerable to storm surge" because the water can get trapped in the series of bays and inlets that stretch along the Panhandle.

"These are areas where the water can get funneled and trapped," said Graham.

Especially at risk from storm surge are the Apalachicola Wildlife Refuge, Alligator Point and Panacea as well as the barrier islands along Pensacola, Apalachicola and Perdido bays, said Graham. These areas could get 8 to 12 feet of storm surge.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Gulf County.

All non-residents in Franklin County are under a mandatory evacuation.

Wakulla County and Bay County officials are expected to announce evacuations tonight but are urging visitors to make plans to leave now.

Citrus County has issued a mandatory evacuation for Zone A, the area most vulnerable to flooding.

Hernando County has announced voluntary evacuations for Zones A and B.

Bay County and Citrus County have closed schools on Tuesday and Wednesday. Leon County schools are closed from Tuesday through Friday. Florida State University also will close its Tallahassee and Panama City campuses from Tuesday through Friday.

Patch will provide updates as more evacuations and closures are announced.

Video via National Hurricane Center