Michael Could Be Most Destructive Hurricane in Decades to Hit <br />Florida Panhandle As of Tuesday morning, the storm has reached <br />Category 2 strength. It is then expected to strengthen to Category 3 before hitting <br />Florida on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of people in the state have been ordered to evacuate. Over the weekend, heavy rain caused by Michael killed 13 people in Central America . The National Hurricane Center says the storm currently has maximum sustained winds of nearly 100 mph. Michael would be the first major storm to hit the Panhandle since <br />Hurricane Dennis in 2005. The National Weather Service predicts Michael will weaken as it moves through the Southeast <br />on Wednesday night and Thursday.
