Michael To Become Major Hurricane Before Making Landfall In Florida - NHC

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th October, 2018) Hurricane Michael will strengthen to become a major storm before it makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami (NHC) said on Tuesday.

"Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected, and Michael is forecast to be a major hurricane at landfall in Florida," the NHC said in its latest advisory.

Florida Governor Rick Scott said earlier that Michael was expected to make landfall as a Category 3 storm as soon as Wednesday.

He urged residents in the affected areas to not take warnings from officials lightly.

"This is your last chance to get prepared for this monstrous and deadly storm," he said in a Twitter post.

Hurricane Michael has already intensified to a Category 2 storm and is gaining strength, the NHC said. The center of the storm is expected to move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday night, moving inland and making landfall as a major hurricane over Florida on Wednesday, it added.