A destructive and life-threatening storm surge event will occur along portions of the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend, and Nature Coast on Wednesday and Wed night. The worst storm surge is expected to be between Mexico Beach and Keaton Beach where 9-13' of inundation is possible. pic.twitter.com/Koao5p4GIk
— NHC Storm Surge (@NHC_Surge) October 9, 2018
According to the National Weather Service, heavy rainfall from Hurricane Michael could produce life-threatening flash flooding from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region into portions of Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeast Virginia.
For now, Tampa Bay appears to be in the clear despite coastal Hillsborough county being under a tropical storm watch while the Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds makes its way north across the Gulf of Mexico at about 12 mph. It is expected to make landfall just after 2 p.m. EST.
Life-threatening storm surge is expected for our neighbors to the north, but the Bay area could see a surge of up to four feet.
If you live along the Florida coast between Pensacola and Tampa, THIS is why it's so important to listen to your local/state officials regarding evacuations. The storm surge is expected to reach 9-13 FEET in some areas!
Stay tuned to your local media for updates.
💻📻📺📲 pic.twitter.com/QAykOFg2c3— National Weather Service (@NWS) October 9, 2018
This article appears in Oct 4-11, 2018.