The latest bulletin from NOAA says that the storm is currently bringing “heavy rainfall and strong winds spreading across western Cuba.”
The advisory added that Michael will present “risk of life-threatening storm surge, heavy rainfall an dangerous winds increasing for the northeastern Gulf Coast.
The massive storm is currently grinding north at 7 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
NOAA forecasts Michael to become a major hurricane – Category 3 of higher – by Tuesday.
Key NOAA messages to the public:
1. Michael is forecast to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Wednesday, and life-threatening storm surge is possible along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast regardless of the storm’s exact track or intensity.
2. Heavy rainfall from Michael could produce life-threatening flash flooding from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region into portions of the Carolinas through Thursday.
3. Hurricane conditions will spread over portions of western Cuba this afternoon, where a hurricane warning is now in effect. Tropical storm conditions are expected over the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula and the Isle of Youth today.
4. Michael is expected to produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding over portions of western Cuba and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico during the next couple of days.
Watches and warnings in place
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
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The Cuban province of the Isle of Youth
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The coast of Mexico from Tulum to Cabo Catoche, including Cozumel
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning.
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:
A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline during the next 48 hours.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
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Suwannee River to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay
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Alabama-Florida border to the Mississippi-Alabama border
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
The following hazards could affect land:
STORM SURGE:
The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.
WIND:
Hurricane conditions will spread across the far western part of the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio this afternoon and evening.
Tropical storm conditions are expected across the remainder of the warning areas in Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula later today.
RAINFALL:
Michael is expected to produce extremely heavy rains, with up to 12 inches in parts.
This could lead to life-threatening flash flooding.
SURF:
Massive swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.