Hurricane Michael (2018)
| Landfall | Oct. 10, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Where | Mexico Beach, Florida |
| Strength at landfall | Category 5, about 160 mph sustained winds |
Michael was the strongest hurricane on record to hit the Florida Panhandle and the first Category 5 to strike the US since Andrew in 1992.
What happened
- Storm surge of up to about 15 feet wiped out much of Mexico Beach.
- Tyndall Air Force Base and Panama City were heavily damaged.
- It kept hurricane strength into southwest Georgia and flattened forests and farms.
- Power was out for weeks in parts of the Panhandle.
Lessons for the next storm
Storm surge and flooding rain, not just wind, cause most of the damage and deaths in storms like Michael. Know your evacuation zone before the season, and leave when officials tell you to. See our hurricane prep guide and what the categories really mean.
Live trackers for towns in its path
- Mexico Beach, FL hurricane tracker
- Port St. Joe, FL hurricane tracker
- Panama City, FL hurricane tracker
- Panama City Beach, FL hurricane tracker
- Apalachicola, FL hurricane tracker
- Santa Rosa Beach, FL hurricane tracker
- Destin, FL hurricane tracker
- Niceville, FL hurricane tracker
- Tallahassee, FL hurricane tracker
- Fort Walton Beach, FL hurricane tracker
More hurricane history
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Local storm-prep businessesGeneral information, not an official forecast. Always follow the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service and your local emergency management.