WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane Michael formed Monday morning in the Caribbean Sea and is forecast to make a landfall as a major hurricane with gusts and rains in southeastern U.S. state Florida on Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts, the National Hurricane Center said.
"Michael could produce three life-threatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds," according to the hurricane center.
Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 26 counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend area on Sunday as Tropical Storm Michael heads toward the U.S. Gulf Coast.
"By declaring this state of emergency, Governor Scott is ensuring that state and local government has ample time, resources and flexibility to get prepared for this storm," the governor's office said.
Florida is predicted to be the main target of the possible hurricane, but certain parts of the U.S. states of Alabama and Mississippi could also feel the effects, local media reported.
Tropical Storm Michael is also expected to hit western Cuba, Belize and northern Honduras this week.
