Hurricane Michael has officially reached Florida’s Panhandle bringing catastrophic winds, storm surge, heavy rain and the risk for isolated tornadoes. Around 1:00 p.m. this afternoon a wind gust of 129 mph was recorded at Tyndall Airforce Base in Florida.
Michael is the Panhandle’s first-ever Category Four land-falling hurricane since records began in 1851.
Michael is currently a Category Four hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph with gusts reaching 180 mph as of 2:00 p.m. E.D.T. The minimum central pressure was recorded at 919 millibars. Michael’s central pressure is third-lowest recorded pressure for any land-falling hurricane in the United States.
The NHC explains, “Michael will produce potentially catastrophic wind damage where the core of the hurricane moves onshore.” Additionally, “Life-threatening storm surge is occuring along portions of the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend, and Nature Coast. The worst storm surge is expected later today and tonight between Tyndall Air Force Base and Keaton beach, where 9 to 14 feet of inundation is possible.”
Locally, impacts for Carrollton, Georgia and surrounding communities are expected to be minimal. Though, the exact track of the storm may result in changes to our forecast.
Carroll County EMA Director, Tim Padgett explains, “The current forecast indicates minimal impacts.” Our local National Weather Service (NWS) office shared an update this afternoon for the potential for wind gusts up to 35 mph in the Carrollton area along with the possibility of 1” to 3” of rainfall.
“Please monitor this situation closely as any change in course of the storm could reduce or increase impacts to our area. We will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates a information is released from the National Weather Service,” said Padgett.
Locations in middle and south Georgia have the potential for wind gusts over 75 mph. The Atlanta NWS office urges everyone to heed the warnings and make final preparations now. A full list of the latest tropical storm warnings and Hurricane Warnings can be found on their website: https://www.weather.gov/ffc/
For additional information regarding Hurricane Michael please refer to the National Hurricane Center’s website: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/cyclones/
