Tropical Storm Michael became a hurricane on Monday and is forecast to strengthen rapidly as it makes its approach towards the Florida Panhandle.
Michael is a Category 1 hurricane but may become a Category 3 hurricane with winds from 111mph to 129 mph when it strikes.
Forecasters predict the hurricane will bring 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30cm) of rain with life-threatening flash flooding.
The National Hurricane Center said: “Life-threatening storm surge is possible along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast regardless of the storm’s exact track or intensity.
“Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads.
“Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.”
Here are the latest updates on Hurricane Michael (all times in BST).
6.38pm update: Florida State University to close
Florida State University said its campuses in Tallahassee and Panama City will be closed from Tuesday through Friday.
The university is expected to return to normal on Monday, October 15.
The university announced on Monday that its main Tallahassee and Panama City campuses will close at 12.01am on Tuesday and remain closed for the rest of the week.
Students are encouraged to discuss possible travel plans with family and friends.
FSU said it is prepared to handle students’ needs during the storm and that campus residence halls and dining facilities will remain open.
6.14pm update: Hurricane Michael path
The NHC said in its 11am EDT update (3pm BST) the centre of Hurricane Michael was moving northward near the western tip of Cuba and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by Monday evening.
The hurricane will then move east the eastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday and Tuesday night and will move inland over the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday and move move northeastward across the southeastern United States Wednesday night and Thursday.
“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,” the National Hurricane Center said.
“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.”
5.51pm update: Watches and warnings in effect
The following watches and warnings are in effect:
• A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
• A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cuban province of the Isle of Youth and the coast of Mexico from Tulum to Cabo Catoche, including Cozumel
• A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Navarre Florida to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay
• A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Alabama-Florida border to Suwannee River Florida
• A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Suwannee River to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay and Alabama-Florida border to the Mississippi-Alabama border
5.34pm update: State of emergency declared in 26 counties
Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 26 counties along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend.
The governor declared a state of emergency for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy and Citrus counties.
A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for coastal areas of Gulf County, according to a news release from the Port St. Joe Police Department.
Governor Scott advised Gulf Coast residents to prepare for possible evacuation orders and he has put more than 5,000 National Guard soldiers on alert.
He wrote on Twitter: “Families should take the opportunity TODAY to make sure they have three days of food and water, as well as all needed medications.
“EVERY FAMILY must be prepared. We can rebuild your home, but we cannot rebuild your life.”
The storm will bring torrential rain, heavy winds and dangerous storm surges to many areas of Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast on Wednesday.
Michael is currently 50 miles south of the western tip of Cuba.
5.14pm update: Michael develops into Category 1 hurricane
Tropical Storm Michael developed into a hurricane on Monday as it continues to strengthen.
Michael is a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75mph and could make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale.
The hurricane is forecast to hit Florida on Wednesday before then moving northeast on Wednesday and Thursday along the Atlantic Coast and batter the Carolinas.
Michael has already battered parts of Mexico and Cuba with powerful winds and drenching rains on Sunday and into early Monday.