Michael kills at least 17, cuts power to over 1.5 million as it carves path of destruction from Florida to Virginia
By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather staff writer
By Katy Galimberti, AccuWeather staff writer
October 13, 2018,
Days after crashing into the Florida Panhandle as the third-most intense landfalling hurricane in United States history, Michael drifted out to sea Friday morning as a post-tropical cyclone.
The potent storm caused deadly and damaging impacts throughout its lifespan from a near Category 5 hurricane along the Florida coast to a heavy rain-producing tropical storm that caused flooding issues in Virginia and the Carolinas.
The storm has claimed at least 17 lives across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Over 1.5 million people remained without power as of Friday morning.
In a Friday morning press conference, Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said he expects the death toll to increase over the next several days.
Florida
President Trump has declared a major disaster for Florida and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery.
Michael totally devastated several coastal communities along the Florida coastline including Mexico Beach, located near where Michael made landfall. The storm arrived with winds of 155 mph, just 2 mph shy of Category 5 status.
A combination of extreme winds and an inundating storm surge wiped many homes completely off their foundations, leaving neighborhoods desolate.
Another angle of #MexicoBeach Utter devastation. Winds, storm surge...@breakingweather @bclemms @accuweather pic.twitter.com/xgf4hDoxLb
— Jonathan Petramala (@jpetramala) October 11, 2018
Some of the hardest-hit counties are on Florida’s northwestern Gulf Coast including Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Taylor and Wakulla.
Four fatalities were reported in Gadsen County, near Tallahassee, the Gadsen County Sheriff’s Office said.
Due to many roadways being left either washed out or covered in debris and power lines, officials urged residents to remain in their homes or avoid returning to their neighborhood if they evacuated as they continued search and rescue operations.
A wind gust of 129 mph was reported at Tyndall Air Force Base, which suffered extensive damage from the storm.
Look at all of the boats that washed up on this beach near #TyndallAFB after the surge recessed back into the Gulf. Unreal. @accuweather @bclemms @breakingweather pic.twitter.com/5Nt6xpm7F3
— Jonathan Petramala (@jpetramala) October 11, 2018
Col. Brian S. Laidlaw, Commander 325th Fighter Wing, said the "base took a beating" and there is a "need to restore basic utilities, clear our roads of trees and power lines, and assess the structural integrity of our buildings."
“Every building has severe damage. Many buildings are a complete loss,” Air Force officials at the base said in a statement.
Georgia
Michael’s wrath extended inland as it remained at major hurricane strength into southwestern Georgia.
Michael also unleashed several tornadoes, including one that damaged half a dozen homes in central Georgia's Crawford County.
One fatality was reported in the state. An 11-year-old girl in Georgia was killed after Michael’s winds picked up a carport and dropped it through the roof of her grandparents’ home, the Associated Press reported.
More than 160,000 remained without power in the state as of Friday morning.
President Trump also declared a major disaster for Georgia.
North Carolina
While North Carolina continued their recovery following Florence’s damage nearly a month ago, Michael tore across the state on its journey through the Southeast.
Michael maintained tropical storm strength as it tracked over the Tarheel State with strong winds and heavy rain. The intense winds knocked down scores of trees and cut power to thousands.
"For North Carolina, Michael isn't as bad as Florence, but it adds unwelcome insult to injury, so we must be on alert," Gov. Roy Cooper said.
Winds up to 50 mph were reported in some areas.
One person was killed outside of Charlotte when a tree crashed onto a car, fatally striking the driver.
Dozens of roads were closed throughout the state as high water made them impassible.
Michael pounded the state on Thursday afternoon before moving north into Virginia later Thursday.
Virginia
Still at tropical storm strength, Michael left at least five dead in Virginia.
Four people were swept away by high water on roadways. Officials urged everyone to avoid any type of flooded road on Friday morning. Thousands of roads throughout the state were closed due to flooding.
One firefighter was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to the storm.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency to respond to the storm’s impacts.
Roads were also covered in debris as the strong winds toppled trees and power lines. Strong winds left more than half a million without power into Friday morning.
Michael spawned five suspected tornadoes across the state as well, adding to the damage.
