Hurricane Michael Could Bring Flooding To South Florida

MIAMI, FL — While Hurricane Michael has not taken aim at South Florida, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said the storm may bring flooding to low-lying coastal areas on both coasts.

Saying that every family must be prepared, Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday that state officials have activated an information hotline for Hurricane Michael. The governor also asked President Donald Trump to declare a pre-landfall emergency for the state as mandatory evacuations got underway in some Florida counties.

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Senior meteorologist Robert Garcia of the National Weather Service in Miami said that there is a potential for flooding in South Florida.

"The concerns for coastal flooding due to the King Tide and Matthew continue to be present along with the potential for flooding from heavy rainfall, gusty winds and tornadoes as Matthew passes to the west of South Florida," he said.

Here are the potential impacts for South Florida:

• Gusty squalls with heavy rain will periodically move across South Florida through mid-week
• Rough marine conditions across area waters
• Coastal flooding due to King Tides and Michael along both coasts
• On the Gulf coast low-lying areas face a potential inundation of 1 to 3 feet as well as flooding of low-lying coastal roads, docks and piers. Forecasters said the greatest threat will be near the times of high tide on Tuesday through Wednesday.
• On the Atlantic coast, low-lying areas face a potential inundation up to 1 foot with minor flooding of streets, docks and piers in areas typically vulnerable to flooding during astronomical high tides. Forecasters said that the greatest threat will be near the times of high tide through Wednesday

The following Florida colleges and universities have announced storm-related closures:

• Chipola College will be closed Tuesday (10/9) and Wednesday (10/10).
• Florida A&M University will be closed Tuesday (10/9) – Friday (10/12).
• Florida State University will be closed Tuesday (10/9) – Friday (10/12).
• Gulf Coast State College will close at 5 p.m. Monday (10/8) and remain closed Tuesday (10/9) and Wednesday (10/10).
• North Florida Community College will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday (10/9) and remain closed Wednesday (10/10) and Thursday (10/11).
• Northwest Florida State College will be closed Tuesday (10/9) and Wednesday (10/10).
• Pensacola State College will close at 4 p.m. Tuesday (10/9) and remain closed Wednesday (10/10)
• Tallahassee Community College will be closed Tuesday (10/9) through Friday, 10/12.
• The University of West Florida will close at noon Tuesday (10/9) and remain closed Wednesday (10/10).

The Florida State Assistance Information Line is intended to provide up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Michael. Call 800-342-3557.

According to the National Hurricane Center:

• A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Alabama/Florida border to Suwannee River Florida and the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
• A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Alabama/Florida border to the Mississippi/Alabama border
• A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Alabama/Florida border to the Mississippi/Alabama border, Suwanee River Florida to Chassahowitzka Florida and the Cuban province of the Isle of Youth
• A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Chassahowitzka to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay
• Mississippi/Alabama border to the Mouth of the Pearl River

"This storm will bring torrential rain, heavy winds, and dangerous storm surges to many areas of our state," the Florida governor said. "It is imperative that families have a plan and are prepared for this storm.

Forecasters said that the center of the hurricane was expected to continue to move over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Monday night, then move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday and Tuesday night. The center of Michael is expected to move inland over the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday, and then move northeastward across the southeastern United States Wednesday night and Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Maximum sustained winds were near 90 mph with higher gusts as of 10 p.m. Monday.

On Sunday, the governor declared a state of emergency in the following counties: 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. He expanded his order on Monday to include Bradford, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Alachua, Union, and Baker Counties.

"By declaring this state of emergency, Governor Scott is ensuring that state and local government has ample time, resources and flexibility to get prepared for this storm," according to Florida officials. "Governor Scott is also urging all utilities and local partners to ensure mutual aid agreements are in place and review the number of generators they have to ensure they have all the resources needed."

Scott suspended tolls in the northwest Florida region in preparation for Hurricane Michael. He also directed the Florida National Guard to activate 500 guardsmen on Sunday and another 750 on Monday ahead of the storm.

"They are well-equipped, with assets including high water vehicles, helicopters and boats," according to the governor, who said that more than 5,500 additional guard members are available to deploy.

Click here to get information on road closures, shelters, and evacuation routes for the affected areas of Florida.

Image courtesy state of Florida