MIAMI _ A fast-changing Michael has strengthened to a hurricane and is likely to continue intensifying as it churns toward the Florida Panhandle and big bend, National Hurricane Forecasters said in an 11 a.m. update Monday.
Sustained winds climbed to 75 mph as the storm continued rolling north at 7 mph. The storm was located about 50 miles south of Cuba's western tip, where strong winds and heavy rain had already begun pounding the island.
In a Monday morning briefing Gov. Rick Scott urged residents to pay careful attention to weather updates and warned that the quickly changing storm could trigger evacuations.
"Impacts could begin tomorrow night, which means in 36 hours," he said. "We know that storms like Michael can be absolutely devastating and life threatening, and that's why we have to take this very seriously."
A state of emergency declared for 26 counties in the storm's path, which included activating 500 National Guardsmen, could be expanded later today, he said. In Bay County, emergency operations officials said bridge closings are likely and a schedule for possible evacuations decided later today. Visitors should make plans immediately to leave, they said.
A hurricane watch extends from the Alabama-Florida border eastward to the Suwanee River, where Michael could roll ashore on Wednesday. Sustained winds could reach 110 mph, just below major storm status, over the next 48 hours and could reach Cat 3 intensity by the time the storm nears land, forecasters said.
A tropical storm watch was also issued from the Suwanee River to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay.
Tropical storm warnings were already in effect for the Mexican coast from Tulum to Cabo Catoche, as well as Pinar Del Rio and the Isle of Youth in Cuba.
Tropical storm force winds, which extend 175 miles from Michael's center, could reach Florida as early as Tuesday night. Storm surge between Indian Pass and Crystal River could reach seven to 11 feet. Michael could dump up to eight inches of rain, with 12 inches possible in some areas.
The Florida Keys are expected to get 2 to 4 inches of rain, and the Yucatan Peninsula could get 1 to 2 inches of rain.
