A state of emergency has been declared in Florida as it prepares for Hurricane Michael to make landfall later this week.
The emergency declaration, signed by President Trump, will provide additional federal assistance and resources to Florida in its preparation and recovery efforts.
Michael strengthened into a Category 2 storm today as it took clearer aim at the Florida Panhandle, which was bracing for a major hurricane to make landfall on Wednesday.
The hurricane, poised to become the strongest tropical system to make landfall in the mainland United States so far this year, has sustained winds of 110 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center said this morning. The storm’s winds are expected to increase, and Michael is on track to become a Category 3 storm later in the day.
Governors in at least three states have declared emergencies, and the local authorities are urging people to evacuate or to fortify their homes ahead of the storm.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will coordinate response efforts, according to Trump’s order.
The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday afternoon that Michael “continues to strengthen, and Storm Surge and Hurricane Warnings are in effect for portions of the Florida Gulf Coast.”
#Michael continues to strengthen, and Storm Surge and Hurricane Warnings are in effect for portions of the Florida Gulf Coast. Here are the 10 AM CDT Key Messages for #Michael https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/gsY3WBa8Rv
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2018