The tropical storm, Michael, is said to have upgraded to a hurricane, currently category 1. Hurricane Michael is forecasted to strengthen to a category 3 hurricane once it reaches the Florida northeastern Gulf Coast by midweek. Families are encouraged to prepare after Gov. Rick Scott recently declared the state of a pre-landfall emergency in 35 counties in Florida. The storm will move further inland later in the week and bring rain and wind to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, according to ABC News.

“Michael is forecast to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Wednesday, and life-threatening storm surge is possible along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast regardless of the storm’s exact track or intensity,” the NHS (National Hurricane Center), said.