Supercharged by abnormally warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday with potentially catastrophic winds of 155 mph, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S. mainland.
Michael blew ashore near Mexico Beach, a tourist town about midway along the Panhandle, a lightly populated, 200-mile stretch of white-sand beach resorts, fishing towns and military bases.
Watch video from the storm below:
'My heart is racing': ABC News' Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee reacts to Hurricane Michael
Panama City Beach building partially collapses as Hurricane Michael lashes Florida
Heavy rain, strong winds pound Panama City, Florida
Video shows powerful, massive storm seen from International Space Station