Hurricane Michael: FL Governor Activates 750 National Guardsmen

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott said he has activated another 750 members of the National Guard in anticipation of Hurricane Michael. This brings the total number of activated guardsmen to 1,250.

Scott, speaking at an afternoon press conference in New Port Richey, said he's not taking any chances. And he advised residents to be equally diligent in their preparations.

"Prepare for worst," he said. "This is a massive storm. We’ve not seen anything like it in the Panhandle."

During a speech at the national police chiefs convention in Orange County, President Donald Trump said he's been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is preparing to offer whatever aid impacted areas might need.

"Can you believe it? It looks like another big one," he said. "This is a very serious situation. Good luck."

Patch is tracking every move of Tropical Storm Michael. Get all the updates on the storm by subscribing to Patch's free breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

Scott said mandatory evacuations have now been issued for a number of counties in the Panhandle, and Scott has waived fees at all toll roads.

The Florida Department of Health is in the process of setting up five special needs shelters in the Panhandle and the Florida Highway Patrol has deployed 350 additional troopers.

"Our state will do whatever it can to make sure every family and every visitor is prepared," he said.

But he said residents need to do their part to stay safe during this fast-moving storm.

"Act quickly and decisively to keep everyone safe," he said. "Michael can still change direction and impact any part of our state."

The news from the National Hurricane Center during the afternoon update was equally bleak.

Director Ken Graham said the rivers in the Panhandle that normally drain into the Gulf will become conduits for storm surge as the hurricane approaches. He anticipates major flooding far inland as a result.

"We'll have life-threatening storm surge," he said.

He advised residents along the Apalachicola River, Suwanee River, Escambia River and the other 22 rivers in the Panhandle that drain into the Gulf to be watchful for flash flooding.

Low-lying areas from Spring Hill, Florida, to central Georgia will be vulnerable to flooding as well, he said. Those areas are expected to get 10 to 12 inches of rainfall.

"Rainfall will be one of the big impacts. Inland flooding is a big concern," he said.

However, the one saving grace is the rain from Hurricane Michael won't linger as it did during Hurricane Florence.

Boat owners and other residents with marine interests should take action now to secure boats, docks and marine structures.

Graham said Florida will begin experiencing tropical storm-force winds Tuesday evening. During the night, winds could reach 120 mph, he said.

Those winds will churn up the seas causing 40-foot waves off shore, he said.

"Along the coast from Tampa to New Orleans, there will be some dangerous waves -- 12 feet and higher," he said.

Video via Pasco County government