GULF COAST
Florida governor warns storm poses deadly threat
It made landfall on the coast as a category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 100cm rain
Hurricane Michael strengthened to a category 2 storm with 160km/h winds on Tuesday as Florida’s governor warned it could bring "total devastation" to parts of the southern US state. The storm – now located over the Gulf of Mexico – is sweeping towards the Florida coast at about 20km/h and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, bringing with it "life threatening" storm surges and heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center said. "It is a monstrous storm and the forecast [keeps] getting more dangerous," Florida governor Rick Scott said. "The time to prepare is now" he said, adding that it "poses a deadly threat and as it grows stronger, we can expect it to make landfall as a major category 3 storm". He said it "could bring total devastation to parts of our state, especially in the panhandle." A hurricane warning was up across the Florida panhandle, which is a low-lying area of beachfront resort and retirement communities on the northeastern Gulf coast. Forecasters warned of coas...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.