Hurricane Michael strengthened to an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm early Wednesday, packing winds as high as 130 mph as it barreled toward Florida, the National Hurricane Center warned. More than 180,000 residents along the Florida Panhandle have been ordered out ahead of what may be the worst hurricane the area has seen in more than a decade. Gov. Rick Scott warned the storm surge from Michael alone could be “historic,” with up to 13 feet expected near Mexico Beach when it makes landfall later Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center has described Michael as a “life-threatening event” for parts of the Gulf Coast, with dangerous winds and flash flooding likely in the area and further inland.
