The northwest coast is expected to be hit within hours by Hurricane Michael
Strong winds have already begun sweeping Florida, whose northwest coast is expected to be hit by Hurricane Michael within hours, with heavy rainfall, high waves and strong winds as the main features of the weather. According to the governor, this is the worst cyclone in the region in a century.
Authorities told residents off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico that time was running out for them to move away and now they would have to seek refuge.
"I do not think some people understand the danger. "I know there were people who decided not to leave their homes," said Gov. Rick Scott.
"Consider this:… water will cover the roof of your house. "You have no chance of surviving this," he warned.
Michael, who has already been upgraded to Category 4 on the five-point Sapphire-Simpson scale, is heading north into the Gulf of Mexico and around 1500 Greek time accompanied by winds of up to 230 km / h, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Meteorologists predict that the sea level may rise to 4,3 meters above normal. In addition, the storm could intensify further before landing.
More than 2,1 million people in at least 20 Florida counties have received mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders.
"Hurricane Michael is predicted to be the deadliest cyclone to hit northwest Florida in a century," Gov. Rick Scott told reporters.
The capital of Florida, Tallahassee, has been turned into a ghost town with residents describing it as "revealing and bizarre." Most stores are closed, 28-year-old Caitlin Stanieck wrote in a message.
"Preparing for the arrival of this cyclone is exhausting," he said, adding that he was happy to find shelter in a hotel with a power generator.