Hurricane Michael has become an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm, the National Hurricane Center said early Wednesday, projecting that it will make landfall near Panama City, Florida, Wednesday afternoon. A Category 4 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of at least 130 mph, and experts warn of a dangerous storm surge of up to 13 feet. Hurricane Michael is moving north at 12 mph, and it will be only the fourth major hurricane — Category 3 or higher — to hit the Florida Panhandle since 1950. "If you went to sleep eight hours ago thinking this storm was bad, you are waking up to find out it is catastrophic," said CNN's John Berman on Wednesday morning from Panama City.
If that sounds like typical cable news hyberbole, the National Hurricane Center calls Michael "a life-threatening event for the northeastern portion of the Gulf Coast." The National Weather Service has a similar message, warning Florida Panhandle residents early Wednesday that it is their last chance to evacuate from this "unprecedented" hurricane and possible death.
After the storm makes landfall, it is expected to weaken as it moves across the southeastern United States.
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