‘We can rebuild your home, we can’t rebuild your life’: Gov. Scott says ahead of Hurricane Michael landfall

Governor Rick Scott issued stern warnings ahead of a forecast landfall of Hurricane Michael in Florida.

“The potential of 12 feet of storm surge in some areas is just deadly,” Scott said Tuesday morning. “We can rebuild your home. We can’t rebuild your life.”

"The potential of 12 feet of storm surge in some areas is just deadly," Florida Gov. Rick Scott tells @RobinRoberts on @GMA as #HurricaneMichael continues to strengthen. https://t.co/9eCMTA3krl pic.twitter.com/KG3T0HdEU1

— ABC News (@ABC) October 9, 2018

Michael is expected to make landfall in the panhandle or Big Bend region of the Sunshine State with a massive storm surge expected in the Northwestern section of Florida. The storm is traveling at a fast pace and accelerating which should keep it from becoming a massive rainfall event like Florence and Harvey, but it is expected to hit as a Category 3, close to a Category 4 strength storm.

“Think about your family — don’t take a chance. What if it is worse than what they think? I mean, this storm is monstrous,” Scott added. “We haven’t seen anything like this in the panhandle in decades. And if you take the part of this that is going to hit, it’s a very low-lying area, the water is going to come in quite a ways, it’s going to come in miles because it’s very low-lying.”

Current Location/Strength

Location: 24.5N 86.1W – apx 395 miles S of Panama City, Florida
Max Sustained Winds: 100 mph
Movement: NNW (345 deg) 12 mph
Pressure: 968 mb / 28.58in

Forecast Positions/Strength

INIT  09/0900Z 24.1N  85.9W   80 KT  90 MPH
 12H  09/1800Z 25.7N  86.3W   90 KT 105 MPH
 24H  10/0600Z 27.9N  86.4W  100 KT 115 MPH
 36H  10/1800Z 29.9N  85.6W  105 KT 120 MPH
 48H  11/0600Z 32.3N  83.4W   50 KT  60 MPH...INLAND
 72H  12/0600Z 36.5N  75.5W   45 KT  50 MPH...OVER WATER
 96H  13/0600Z 42.5N  60.5W   60 KT  70 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
120H  14/0600Z 49.0N  40.5W   55 KT  65 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

Watches/Warnings

Storm Surge Watch:

• Anclote River Florida to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay
• Alabama/Florida border to Okaloosa/Walton County Line Florida

Storm Surge Warning:

• Okaloosa/Walton County Line Florida to Anclote River Florida

Hurricane Watch:

• Alabama/Florida border to the Mississippi/Alabama border

Hurricane Warning:

• Alabama/Florida border to Suwannee River Florida

Tropical Storm Watch:

• Chassahowitzka to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay
• Mississippi/Alabama border to the Mouth of the Pearl River
• Fernandina Beach Florida to South Santee River South Carolina

Tropical Storm Warning:

• Alabama/Florida border to the Mississippi/Alabama border
• Suwanee River Florida to Chassahowitzka Florida

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.