Hurricane Michael is gaining strength as it makes its way towards the Florida coast. <br /> The Category 3 storm is expected to make landfall by Wednesday afternoon, local time.<br />It is packing near 190 kilometer-per-hour winds and threatening dangerous storm surges and flash flooding.<br />At least 13 people have reportedly died in Central America due to the storm.<br /> Alabama, Florida and Georgia have declared states of emergency.<br />Some 120,000 people have been told to evacuate along a 320-kilometer stretch along the East Coast covering Panhandle and Big Bend.<br />President Trump said his officials were well prepared for the incoming hurricane. <br />Officials have described the storm as "monstrous" and the most powerful hurricane to strike the mainland United States so far this year. <br />
