"Let me be clear, Hurricane Michael is a monstrous storm and the forecast keeps getting more dangerous," said Florida Gov. Fearing that the natural calamity could become a Category 2 hurricane with winds up to 100 mph by the time it makes landfall next Wednesday, Scott has mobilized some 500 National Guard troops to assist with planning and logistics. On Sunday, Republican Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 26 counties in the Florida Panhandle and in Big Bend, ahead of Tropical Storm Michael, which is now making its way through the Gulf of Mexico. The NHC reported watches and warnings for a hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge in a number of areas in Florida and the Caribbean on Michael's approach. The storm is expected to further strengthen into a hurricane by Monday night or Tuesday as its centre moves over the Yucatan Channel, crosses the Gulf of Mexico and nears the Florida Panhandle coast sometime Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Michael becomes Hurricane Michael and is upgraded to a category 1 storm.