What to expect in Orlando area from 'monstrous' Hurricane Michael

Marion County could experience tropical storm conditions

ORLANDO, Fla.Hurricane Michael is a "monstrous hurricane" and will deliver a potentially devastating strike to the Florida Panhandle sometime Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott said.

As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Michael was 220 miles south-southwest of Panama City, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. The near-Category 4 storm was moving north at 12 mph.

Central Florida is not currently in the cone of uncertainty as the Panhandle will apparently get the major impacts from the storm.

[TRACKER: Hurricane Michael]

"The impact will be storm surge, very heavy rain and strong, gusty winds as it makes landfall," Bridges said.

The Orlando area will get plenty of rain and windy conditions, however.

"We are already seeing the impacts of Michael here in Central Florida with on and off rain throughout the day," Bridges said. "Grab your rain gear because it won’t stop until likely Friday. Some areas could see up to 4 inches of rain.

Rain chances stand at 60 percent in Orlando on Tuesday and Wednesday before jumping to 70 percent on Thursday.

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Marion County could experience tropical storm conditions. The county has opened two sandbag locations for residents.

Most of the region will see winds at 25-35 mph.

The chance of rain drops to 30 percent Friday through the weekend.

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Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Nadine formed Tuesday morning about 480 miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Nadine has 45 mph winds and is expected to move north and west in the coming days. 

"It's closer to Africa than the Lesser Antilles right now," Bridges said.

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Tropical Storm Leslie could once again redevelop into a hurricane as it spins in the open Atlantic. 

Leslie was 1,000 miles west-southwest of The Azores early Tuesday and is projected to head southeast over the next few days. 

Leslie is of no concern to Florida or the United States.

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Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.

 


About the Authors
Daniel Dahm headshot

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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