[67] Downed studio transmitter link towers and power outages resulted in the loss of nearly all television and radio stations in the Panama City region. [103] On October 11, President Trump declared a major disaster in five counties: Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Taylor, and Wakulla. [1]:9 The highest rainfall total from Michael in Florida occurred at Lynn Haven, where 11.62 in (295 mm) of rain was measured. Santa Rosa County also ordered immediate voluntary evacuations for mobile home parks, campsites and homes in low-lying areas ahead of the storm. [34]:53 However, the overall impacts of Michael west of Bay County were comparatively muted. Most of the rain fell in three to six hours, triggering flash floods. In Franklin County, 80 structures were destroyed. Similar surge heights occurred in Citrus County, forcing several road closures and washing away a car parked on a road ramp at Fort Island Gulf Beach. [90], The outer fringes of Michael affected parts of the peninsular region of Florida well before its ultimate landfall. The declaration also authorized funding for 75% of the cost of emergency protective measures and the removal of storm debris in 14 Florida counties. We can rebuild your homes, but we cannot rebuild your lives." [1]:10, In addition to the Mexico Beach area, coastal communities in Franklin and Gulf counties—collectively known as the "Forgotten Coast" due to a lack of infrastructure development in recent decades—were among those hardest-hit by Michael. Rainfall totals were generally 4–8 in (100—200 mm) with some localized maxima in excess of 10 in (250 mm). A day later, radar imagery from Belize indicated a closed center of circulation, indicating that the system organized into a tropical depression. [34]:52, Storm surge was responsible for most of the $100,000 damage toll along the coasts of west-central and southwestern Florida. The hurricane hit the Florida Panhandle as a category 4 storm. [39]:14 Sensor data and high water marks surveyed by the United States Geological Survey indicated that water inundation at Mexico Beach reached a depth of 14 ft (4.3 m) above ground level,[1]:8 classifying Michael's surge at Mexico Beach as a 1-in-280 year event. [1]:11 Two hospitals—Bay Medical Sacred Heart and Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center—suffered significant damage. Overview At approximately 1:30 p.m. EDT on October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida. Simultaneously, Michael made landfall on the Gulf Coast of the United States near Mexico Beach, Florida, ranking by pressure as the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States,[1] and making it the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the contiguous United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. [30] Power outages affected nearly 400,000 electricity customers in Florida at their greatest extent, representing about 4% of the state. [41]:16 A gas leak at an unroofed motel endangered guests who had sought shelter inside. Hurricane Michael: An updated look at what Alabama can expect Updated Mar 07, 2019; Posted Oct 09, 2018 Hurricane Michael had 125 mph winds on Tuesday night, making it a strong Category 3 hurricane. Waves take over a house as Hurricane Michael comes ashore in Alligator Point, Fla., Oct. 10, 2018. As it approached the Florida Panhandle, Michael reached Category 5 status with peak winds of 160 mph (260 km/h)[1] just before making landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, on October 10, becoming the first to do so in the region as a Category 5 hurricane, and as the strongest storm of the season. Wind speeds were estimated to be 155 miles (250 kilometers) per hour, which would make the category 4 hurricane the strongest on record to hit the Florida Panhandle. At approximately 1:30 p.m. EDT on October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida. An emphasis was made on those living on St. George Island, Dog Island, Alligator Point, Bald Point and anyone else living along the coastline and low-lying areas by the Franklin County Emergency Management. [1] Moving into the Carolinas early on October 11, the inner core of the storm collapsed, and Michael began to transition into an extratropical cyclone as it interacted with an encroaching frontal zone. Along the Florida panhandle, the cities of Mexico Beach and Panama City suffered the worst of Michael, with catastrophic damage reported due to the extreme winds and storm surge. [64] Cars, truck trailers, recreational vehicles, and trains were tossed around by the wind. [16], 375,000 people were asked to evacuate as the storm strengthened, with sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and storm surge up to 14 ft (4.3 m) expected. On October 7, the Permanent Commission of Contingencies said more than 260 homes were damaged in the southern part of the country. [46] The road remained closed for nearly a year before repairs completed. He added that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was ready to deploy and the Department of Transportation was monitoring the situation. Tropical storm-force winds were also felt in isolated areas in the region. At least 127 roads throughout the state were blocked by fallen trees or debris. In addition, Tyndall and Hurlburt Field evacuated aircraft. [1]:18 Michael was the only tropical cyclone known to have struck the Florida Panhandle at stronger than Category 3 intensity, and the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall anywhere along the U.S. coast since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.