The universe is going to kill the Florida panhandle. The thing is called "Michael". When it hits the panhandle it will be a category 4 storm.

Human-caused global warming is making the thing worse.

Not to worry because the monster will completely miss south Florida where I live.

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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Hurricane Michael is packing even more punch: It strengthened into a Category 4 storm early Wednesday, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. According to the NHC's latest advisory, Michael could produce a life-threatening storm surge as high as 13 feet and dump as much as a foot of rain in some places.

Weather officials say Michael has been drawing energy from warm Gulf of Mexico waters, with ocean temperatures in the mid-80s.

The NHC says for some additional strengthening is possible before Michael makes landfall midday Wednesday in the Florida Panhandle or Florida "Big Bend" area. Michael is expected to weaken after landfall as it then moves through the Southeastern United States.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Michael was expected to be the most destructive storm to hit the Panhandle in decades. "This storm is dangerous, and if you don't follow warnings from officials, this storm could kill you," he said at a press conference.

"We don't know if it's going to wipe out our house or not," Jason McDonald, of Panama City, said as he and his wife drove north into Alabama with their two children, ages 5 and 7. "We want to get them out of the way." Coastal residents rushed to board up their homes and stock up on bottled water and other supplies.

Florida Panhandle