Hurricane Michael: STRONGEST hurricane in YEARS will devastate Tallahassee

Hurricane Michael, currently a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is expected to build to a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall on Wednesday.

Alabama, Florida and Georgia have declared states of emergency in all or parts of the states.

At least 13 people have died in Central America due to the storm.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has called on residents to evacuate, saying: “It could be the difference between life and death.”

Governor Scott warned in a news conference that Hurricane Michael is a “massive storm that could bring total devastation to parts of our state, especially in the panhandle”.

He added that it is predicted to be “the most destructive storm to hit the Florida panhandle in decades”.

Some 120,000 people have been warned to evacuate along Florida’s coast, where schools and state offices are to remain shut this week.

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The state capital of Florida, Tallahassee, is set to be one of the worst-hit areas when the storm makes landfall on Wednesday.

Alabama is under a statewide state of emergency ahead of the hurricane, along with 92 counties in southern Georgia and 35 counties in Florida.

The governor called Michael “a monstrous storm” and urged residents to listen to officials.

President Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday: “FLORIDA – It is imperative that you heed the directions of your State and Local Officials. Please be prepared, be careful and be SAFE!”

About 2,500 Florida National Guard troops have been activated in preparation for the storm.

After battering the Gulf Coast, Michael is expected to crawl up the US East Coast.

Heavy rains are forecast for the Carolinas, which were drenched by Hurricane Florence last month.

Forecasters say some regions of the US may see 12in (30cm) of rain, and storm surges of up to 12ft (3.6m).

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts “life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and heavy rainfall along the northeastern Gulf Coast.”

The storm has increased its maximum winds to 110 mph, and is just about to become a major Category 3 hurricane when winds pick up to 111 mph.

Hurricane Michael is currently churning 360 miles south of Panama City, Florida, and is moving north at 12 mph.

Watches and warnings are in place across large swathes of the area, and residents are advised to finish making any preparations to protect themselves immediately.