Gov. Scott declares state of emergency as Tropical Storm Michael approaches Florida

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: National Hurricane Center

11 p.m. update Oct. 7 | Tropical Storm Michael currently has maximum sustained winds at 60 mph and is moving north at 5 mph. According to the National Hurricane Center, a threat to the northeastern Gulf Coast is becoming more likely.

8:20 PM UPDATE | Tropical Storm Michael is packing winds of 60 mph as it moves north towards the U.S. mainland.

The storm's latest track projects Michael as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday.

TALKING THE TROPICS: Michael is organizing and growing in strength 

Florida Gov. Rick Scott addressed the state on Sunday night and said that federal officials were already en route to Florida to assist in preparation efforts.

TRANSCRIPT: Gov. Scott's address on Tropical Storm Michael

Right now, Tropical Storm Michael has 50 mph winds and is forecast to move slower and grow stronger, making landfall as a Category 2 storm midweek along the Northeast Gulf Coast," Scott said.

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"That means the Panhandle and Big Bend can see winds in excess of 100 mph. Remember, this storm could grow stronger and be a Category 3 hitting our state.

"This storm will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous."

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 26 counties as Tropical Storm Michael strengthens and heads towards the mainland.

Scott announced that he will issue an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Florida as Tropical Storm Michael approaches.

STORY: Florida Gov. Rick Scott to declare state of emergency Sunday

Scott said, “With the National Hurricane Center forecasting Tropical (Storm Michael) to strengthen and impact Florida’s Panhandle as a hurricane, families need to get prepared. Today, I will be declaring a state of emergency in counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend and directing the State Emergency Operations Center to activate."

Tropical Depression 14 has become Tropical Storm Michael with winds of 40 mphs.

TALKING THE TROPICS WITH MIKE: Michael forms over NW Caribbean, headed for Gulf west of Jacksonville

A disturbance off the Central American coast is likely to grow into a tropical storm that could bring heavy rains and flooding to parts of Mexico, Cuba and then the U.S. Gulf Coast, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Hunter aircraft will check out the disturbance Sunday afternoon.

First Alert Meteorologist Mike Buresh says this storm is moving fairly fast by tropical standards, which makes the storm all the much more potentially dangerous.

Forecasters said Tropical Storm Michael is likely to form Sunday night and could reach the Gulf coast by Wednesday. A tropical storm warning was in effect for the western tip of Cuba, while a tropical storm watch has been called for the resort region of the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Cabo Catoche.

The National Hurricane Center says Potential Tropical Cyclone Fourteen is forecast to become a tropical storm by late Sunday.

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The National Hurricane Center has initiated its first advisories about Potential Tropical Cyclone Fourteen, which may develop into "Michael."

The NHC said tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued over portions of western Cuba and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula.

Possible Tropical Cyclone Fourteen is expected to produce heavy rainfall over portions of Central America during the next couple of days, according to the NHC.

The storm may bring a storm surge, rainfall and wind impacts to portions of the northern Gulf Coast by mid-week, the NHC said.

Action News Jax Meteorologist Corey Simma said "#Fourteen shows potential tracks ranging from Louisiana to the Big Bend region of #Florida. Local impacts (are) limited to rain at this time."

Timing, landfall location and intensity of Possible Tropical Cyclone Fourteen are subject to change.

TALKING THE TROPICS: All eyes on the Caribbean & Gulf of Mexico for tropical trouble

Cox Media Group