'Potentially catastrophic' Hurricane Michael nears Florida as Cat. 4

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP/WCIV) — Hurricane Michael is an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm and still growing stronger as it closes in on the northwest Florida coast.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 145 mph with higher gusts.

At 8 a.m., the center of the hurricane was bearing down on a stretch of the Florida Panhandle, still about 90 miles from Panama City and Apalachicola, but moving relatively fast at 13 mph.

Hurricane winds extend outward 45 miles from the storm's center, and tropical-storm force winds (39-73 mph) extend 185 miles from the center, and have been impacting the Florida coast for hours.

Forecasters are warning of life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic wind damage and heavy rainfall as the hurricane moves onshore, with the eye forecast to make landfall around 1 p.m.

Once onshore, the storm is forecast to move quickly up the eastern seaboard bringing torrential rain and tropical storm force winds for much of Georgia, South Carolina, eastern North Carolina, and far southeastern Virginia.

In the Palmetto state, rain totals will vary significantly with coastal regions expecting 1-3 inches and the midlands expecting 2-5 inches, with isolated pockets seeing over 6 inches of rain, according to ABC News 4 Meteorologist Chris Nestman.

Coastal impacts will be the primary concern for the Lowcountry. Onshore winds combined with high tide will bring a significant risk of coastal flooding for low lying areas. Dangerous rip currents, rough surf, and beach erosion will also be a concern.

Wind gusts between 40-50 mph could mean power outages are possible due to downed trees and branches.

The worst of the impacts for the Lowcountry will happen Thursday morning, with conditions steadily improving by Thursday evening, Nestman said.