ATLANTA — Tropical depression 14 has officially been upgraded to Tropical Storm Michael, according to Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Katie Walls.
The maximum winds are estimated to be 60 mph with higher gusts of up to 70, Walls said.
Landfall for Michael is projected Wednesday as a Category 2 storm on the Gulf Coast sometime in the morning before moving inland and weakening.
#Michael could impact N GA Wednesday into Thursday with rounds of rain and gusty winds. @KarenMintonWSB will have new data and time-line for you on Ch. 2 starting at 4:30AM. pic.twitter.com/hgLf53voED
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) October 8, 2018
Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a State of Emergency for the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend.
Today, I will be declaring a state of emergency in the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend & directing the State EOC to activate. Later today, I will receive a full update & briefing on the forecast & potential impacts of the storm from federal, state & local emergency management.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 7, 2018
Our expert meteorologists with Severe Weather Team 2 are tracking to system, on the Channel 2 Action News This Morning at 4:30 a.m.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Severe Weather Team 2 App]
Walls said Michael's impact on Georgia will depend on the forward motion. If it slows down, then it will be more of an impact for south and middle Georgia. If it speeds up, the impact will be more in north Georgia.
Walls said there is still a lot of time between now and landfall but Georgia should expect periods of rain and wind mainly Wednesday and Thursday.
As of now, the impacts are wind and rain from Tropical Storm Michael but it is forecast to further strengthen.
While we're not anticipated Irma-like impacts, Severe Weather Team 2 is monitoring the situation with the most powerful radar in the state.
Cox Media Group
