A STATE of emergency has been declared in Florida as Hurricane Michael battered Cuba and continued to rampage towards the US.
The storm is likely to make landfall on Tuesday with experts warning of 115mph winds – and it could be upgraded to a category 3.
Residents frantically filled sandbags, boarded up homes and secured boats on Monday night.
Schools have been evacuated as Florida and Alabama prepare for wide-spread power outages, wind damage and heavy rain.
It is feared the storm could spark life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Florida Governor Rick Scott called Michael a “monstrous storm” after declaring a state of emergency in 35 counties along the panhandle and Big Bend.
Michael was designated by the National Hurricane Center as a Category 1 hurricane Monday as it churned off Cuba’s western tip.
Scott tweeted: “Let’s all stay safe and watch this storm closely. As we have seen before, it can change direction and impact any part of our state.
“EVERY FAMILY must be prepared. We can rebuild your home, but we cannot rebuild your life.”
He added: “This storm will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous.”
Scott has sent 1000 State Troopers to the area in preparation.
After pummelling Florida, Michael is forecast to move northeast and drench the Carolinas, which are still recovering from the devastation left last month by Hurricane Florence.
Weather.com meteorologist Christopher Dolce said residents should begin preparing now.
He said: “Interests in the Florida Panhandle should begin preparations and continue them into Tuesday morning.
“Hurricane conditions are possible in the region by Wednesday with damaging winds, dangerous storm surge, and heavy rain.”
Currently, the storm is about 130 miles South East of Cozumel, Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Before hitting the US, Tropical Storm Michael will bring heavy rain and power outages to parts of the Yucatan Peninsula and Western Cuba.
Accuweather Senior Meterologist Mike Doll said: “Through Monday, flooding rain is expected across far eastern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula and far western Cuba.”
Michael is the 13th named storm of the 2018 hurricane season, according to hurricane center spokesman Dennis Feltgen.
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7440747/hurricane-michael-florida-state-of-emergency-hurricane-michael/
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