Hurricane Michael Strengthens to a Category 4 Storm

Updated Oct. 10, 1:12 p.m.

Hurricane Michael has strengthened to a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. Life-threatening storm surges up to 14 ft are likely along the Panhandle and Big Bend. Additionally, flash flooding will be a risk as rainfall totals may range from 6 to 10 in.

As of 7 a.m. ET Oct. 10, Hurricane Michael was located approximately 100 miles south of Panama City Beach, Fla. Hurricane Warnings extend into southwestern Georgia and cover nearly 4 million people, as reported by CNN. Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings extend further and cover nearly 28 million people.

Hurricane Michael, even without strengthening to a Category 5 storm, will mark the strongest hurricane ever recorded to hit the Florida Panhandle and the strongest storm to hit the U.S. this year. Storm surges are expected to be deadly.

For more information on the storm's landfall, which occurred Wednesday, Oct. 10, at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET, click here.