Hurricane Michael Expected to Be Near Category 4 at Landfall

(The New York Times) Hurricane Michael strengthened into a Category 3 storm on Tuesday, packing 120 mile-per-hour winds and on a path to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle as the most powerful hurricane to strike the mainland United States so far this year. The worst is still to come as the storm draws closer to the

coastline and becomes better organized: Forecasters expect it to strengthen overnight and be near Category 4 strength when it blows ashore. Governors in at least three states have declared emergencies, and the local authorities are urging people to evacuate or to fortify their homes ahead of the storm. READ MORE