Hurricane Michael to hit Florida potentially as strong as Category 3

WASHINGTON -- Hurricane Michael is forecast to strike Florida Panhandle in southeastern United States on Wednesday potentially as strong as Category 3 with storm surge, gusty winds, torrential rains and destructive flooding, US meteorologists said on Tuesday.

The hurricane, which on Tuesday intensified to Category 2, could make the strongest landfall along Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast in 13 years, according to the National Weather Service office in Tallahassee, Florida.

Michael is currently centered about 360 miles (about 579 km) south of Panama City, Florida, and is moving north.

"Michael could develop into a potentially catastrophic event for the northeastern Gulf Coast," the National Weather Service office warned.

The National Hurricane Center warned that Michael could make landfall Wednesday afternoon near Panama City, 100 miles (about 161 km) west of Tallahassee, as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of up to 120 mph.

"Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades," Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted Tuesday. "It will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous. You cannot hide from this storm."

Scott, who declared a state of emergency for 35 counties on Sunday, said he was seeking a federal disaster declaration from President Donald Trump, who promised full support.

The governor activated 2,500 National Guard troops and made more than 300 state troopers available for deployment.

After landing along Florida Panhandle, Michael will move inland and bring heavy rain and strong winds to other parts of the southeastern United States, said U.S. meteorologists.

Though Florida is predicted to be the main target of the possible hurricane, certain parts of the U.S. states of Alabama and Mississippi could also feel the effects. On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency, in anticipation of the damage Hurricane Michael could cause.

"Alabama is once again in the path of a hurricane, but I know Alabamians will once again come together and be prepared for whatever Michael may bring," said Ivey.

Several southeast Alabama school districts will be closed Wednesday, local media reported.

The hurricane formed Monday morning from a tropical storm in the Caribbean Sea, the US National Hurricane Center said.

"Michael could produce three life-threatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds," according to the hurricane center.