Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that made landfall in the Florida Panhandle in October 2018. It was the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the contiguous United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Michael was the thirteenth named storm, seventh hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season.

Meteorological History

Hurricane Michael originated from a broad area of low pressure that formed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on October 2, 2018. The system gradually organized and was designated as a tropical depression on October 7. It strengthened into a tropical storm later that day and was named Michael. The storm continued to intensify as it moved northward, becoming a Category 1 hurricane on October 8.

Michael rapidly intensified over the next 48 hours, reaching Category 4 status by October 9. On October 10, Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h), making it a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Impact

The impact of Hurricane Michael was catastrophic, particularly in the Florida Panhandle. The towns of Mexico Beach and Panama City were severely damaged, with widespread destruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The hurricane caused extensive power outages, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without electricity.

In addition to the devastation in Florida, Michael also caused significant damage in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. The storm was responsible for at least 74 deaths and caused an estimated $25 billion in damages.

Aftermath and Recovery

The recovery efforts following Hurricane Michael were extensive and ongoing. Federal, state, and local agencies, along with numerous non-profit organizations, were involved in the relief and rebuilding efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided substantial assistance to the affected areas.

Records and Statistics

Hurricane Michael set several records, including:

• The first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the contiguous United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
• The third-most intense hurricane to make landfall in the United States in terms of pressure, behind the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Hurricane Camille in 1969.
• The strongest hurricane on record to strike the Florida Panhandle.

See Also

• 2018 Atlantic hurricane season
• List of Florida hurricanes
• Hurricane Andrew
• Hurricane Camille
• Federal Emergency Management Agency