WCF SPECIAL BULLETIN #18-4: 2000 EDT – 10/08/18
HURRICANE MICHAEL HEADED FOR THE PANHANDLE. WCF SECTION ARES TO GO TO LEVEL 3 ACTIVATION.
As of 2000 EDT on Monday 10/08/18, Hurricane Michael is located about 485 miles south of Apalachicola, Florida in the Florida Panhandle. Hurricane Michael has maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour and is headed north at 12 miles per hour. Hurricane Michael is forecast to continue its track toward the north and make landfall in the western panhandle of Florida on Wednesday afternoon and intensify to a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall. The Florida peninsula at this time can expect some near Tropical Storm force winds near the coast in the northern counties of the West Central Florida Section. All of the West Central Florida Section can expect periods of rain squalls as the storm moves north over the Gulf of Mexico late Tuesday and Wednesday. At the present time, the only warning that is in effect for the West Central Florida Section is a Storm Surge Warning for Pasco County. At the present time, the watches that are in effect for the West Central Florida Section is a Tropical Storm Watch for Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee County and a Storm Surge Watch for Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee Counties.
As of 2000 this evening, West Central Florida Section ARES will go to a Level 3 activation. Level 3 activation is a standby mode, in case of activation of ARES and or ACS, by one of our served agencies. At this time, Pasco County ARES will partially active tomorrow at 0700, Hillsborough ARES/RACES and Sarasota County ACS have had requests from their primary served agencies to stand by for a potential activation. However that situation could change tomorrow, especially if the path of Michael unexpectedly changes course. All ARES, ACS, and CERT teams in the West Central Florida Section are requested to check their equipment and supplies in case of the need for deployment.
The next WCF Section Special Bulletin will be issued at this time tomorrow unless the situation warrants a bulletin sooner.