Hurricane Michael: How powerful is hurricane? Pressure update – deadly storm gets STRONGER

Hurricane Michael has developed into a Category 2 storm, but it is forecast to intensify further before making landfall on Wednesday, possibly as a Category 3.

The threshold for a Category 3 is maximum sustained winds of 111mph – Michael is packing maximum sustained winds of 110mph, according to the 1pm CDT update.

Michael is forecast to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall in Florida and weakening is expected after landfall.

According to the National Hurricane Center, hurricane hunters say Michael is still strengthening as it moves north northwest over the Gulf of Mexico.

This is because the warm water in the gulf will continue to fuel the storm’s strength.

Florida Governor Rick Scott: “Prepare for major flooding in this storm.

“The National Hurricane Center is forecasting storm surge to be between 8 to 12 feet. That means the water will come miles in shore and could easily be over the roof of houses.”

Michael is expected to be even more powerful than Hurricane Florence, which had wind speeds of 90mph when it struck the Carolinas in September.

Only three major hurricanes have made landfall in the Florida Panhandle since 1950, Eloise in 1975, Opal in 1995 and Dennis in 2005.

The forecast cone for Hurricane Michael stretches all the way from Florida up to New Jersey.

Mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders have been issued in at least 16 Florida counties along and near the state’s Panhandle and Big Bend coasts.

Gov Scott has extended a state of emergency to 35 counties and activated 2,500 National Guardsmen for hurricane duty.

A hurricane warning was in effect for a more than 300-mile (480-km) stretch of coastline from the Florida-Alabama border to the Suwannee River in Florida.

In western Cuba, Michael has already triggered flash floods and mudslides in mountain areas.

Disaster agencies in El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua reported 13 deaths.

Roofs collapsed and residents were carried away by swollen rivers – six died in Honduras, four in Nicaragua and three in El Salvador.

Heavy rains lashed the region at the weekend after Michael formed off the coast of Honduras.

President Donald Trump said the country was very well prepared for the hurricane, adding it was much bigger than had been expected.

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

He added “the folks in the Panhandle can take care of everything.”