Hurricane Michael Nears Landfall As Worst Storm Florida Panhandle has seen in 100 years,The Mayor

NOAA VIA AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Hurricane Michael has grown into a Category 4 hurricane over the past night and is expected to become the worst storm to strike across the United States in Florida when it arrives on land on Wednesday ,with 145 mph winds.

The maximum winds reached 140 mph, with more powerful tremors, and are expected to gain extra wind before reaching land, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Life-threatening storms can reach 13 feet in some places.

The most vulnerable areas, such as Panhandle and Big Bend, are expected to see maximum flood levels of 12 inches.

NOAA's National Weather Service Said on Twitter

Landfall of Hurricane Michael is imminent. THIS IS A WORST CASE SCENARIO for the Florida Panhandle!! Listen to your local emergency officials. Stay Inside & Survive!" --NWS Director Dr. Louis Uccellini

In outside the firefighters and ambulances were gathered from across the state outside the storm zone, standing, ready to help as the storm moved into the area.

Kissimmee firefighters and Osceola County Ambulance Strike team made it safely to staging at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala! They will be deployed to the panhandle region post Hurricane Michael! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for their safety! pic.twitter.com/i9jgVK8BHs

— Kissimmee Fire (@KissimmeeFire) ١٠ أكتوبر ٢٠١٨

Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced an emergency over the weekend and warned citizens on Tuesday night that this was their "last chance to evacuate before conditions began to deteriorate."

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE to evacuate before conditions start deteriorating within the next few hours. See current evacuation orders and open shelters here: https://t.co/5MF4UwB4He

— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) ١٠ أكتوبر ٢٠١٨

Scott also suspended his campaign in the Senate over the weekend.

"You cannot hide from storm surge," Scott warned at a news conference Tuesday, calling Michael "monstrous".

"This storm can kill you," Scott said.

Water already well past the boat ramp in Panacea (southern Wakulla county) as #HurricaneMichael storm surge moves in. Coastal locations in Apalachee Bay are holding-steady/slowly-rising, and this is with a outgoing tide. High tide is coming later this afternoon near peak surge. pic.twitter.com/iVpYd501Lb

— NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) ١٠ أكتوبر ٢٠١٨

how Michael looked from space earlier this morning

Early morning view of Cat 4 Hurricane #Michael with 30-second updating vis imagery from @NOAA's GOES-16. @NHC_Atlantic warns additional strengthening is possible before landfall over the Florida Panhandle this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/H3HLzMVi9Q

— NASA SPoRT (@NASA_SPoRT) ١٠ أكتوبر ٢٠١٨

++