Michael: strongest US storm in decades batters Florida

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida coast on Wednesday as the most powerful storm to hit the southern U.S. state in more than a century as officials warned it could wreak "unimaginable devastation."

A pickup truck manoeuvres around crashing waves due to Hurricane Michael at Alligator Point in Franklin County, Florida, U.S., October 10, 2018.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

Waves crash on stilt houses along the shore due to Hurricane Michael at Alligator Point in Franklin County, Florida, U.S., October 10, 2018.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

An electric transformer explodes in the distance as heavy rains and wind from Hurricane Michael blanket the Florida State University campus Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

A storm chaser climbs into his vehicle during the eye of Hurricane Michael to retrieve equipment after a hotel canopy collapsed in Panama City Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

This photo made available by NASA shows they eye of Hurricane Michael, as seen from the International Space Station on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

The storm surge from Hurricane Michael pushes into the homes four hours prior to high tide on October 10, 2018 in the Florida Panhandle community of Shell Point Beach, Florida.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

This NOAA/RAMMB satellite image taken on October 10, 2018 at 16:45 UTC shows Hurricane Michael as it approaches land near the US Gulf Coast.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

This infrared satellite image made available by NOAA shows Hurricane Michael approaching the Florida panhandle on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 at 11:40 a.m. EDT.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

A beachgoer take photos of the waves on Wednesday Oct. 10, 2018, on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., behind the boardwalk as Hurricane Michael impacts the coast.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

Palm trees are seen as Hurricane Michael approaches Panama City Beach, Florida, U.S. October 10, 2018.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

The storm surge and waves from Hurricane Michael start to overtake the roads and homes four hours prior to high tide on October 10, 2018 in the Florida Panhandle community of Shell Point Beach, Florida.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

Waves crash along a pier as Hurricane Michael approaches Panama City Beach, Florida, U.S. October 10, 2018.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

U.S. President Donald Trump pauses during his meeting to discuss potential damage from Hurricane Michael, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

Jayden Morgan carries his dog through a flooded street in St. Marks, Fla., on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, as his family evacuates at the last minute before Hurricane Michael hits the state.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

Earnest Sweet sits while his daughters Terri, 4, center, and Anna, 7, sleep at an evacuation shelter set up at Rutherford High School, before the advance of Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018.

Strongest storm in decades, Michael batters US, makes landfall in Florida

A hotel employee holds a glass door closed as it breaks from flying debris during Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018.