*By Christian Smith*
While it may not be the strongest storm to hit the U.S. this year, Hurricane Michael could prove incredibly destructive to a region that isn't used to powerful hurricanes, said meteorologist and Grist staff writer Eric Holthaus.
"In this area where the storm is expected to make landfall there have only been about three hurricanes of this strength in all of history," Holthaus said Tuesday in an interview on Cheddar.
A State of Emergency was expanded on Monday to cover 35 counties along the Florida Gulf Coast. At a press conference, Gov. Rick Scott said, "Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades."
Hurricane Michael was upgraded to a [Category 3](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/09/us/hurricane-michael.html) Tuesday. It is expected to make landfall in the central part of the Florida panhandle near Panama City on Wednesday.
Evacuations have been ordered for a number of counties along the Florida Coast. Authorities warn that rescue crews will not be able to reach those who decide to remain in their homes immediately after the storm hits.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/hurricane-michael-builds-strength-as-it-closes-in-on-florida-coast).
Nearly a day after being downgraded from a tropical storm, Ophelia still threatened parts of the Northeast on Sunday with coastal flooding, life-threatening waves and heavy rain from Washington to New York City, the National Hurricane Center said.
Surgeons have transplanted a pig’s heart into a dying man in a bid to prolong his life – only the second patient to ever undergo such an experimental feat. Two days later, the man was cracking jokes and able to sit in a chair, Maryland doctors said Friday.
Tropical Storm Ophelia formed off the mid-Atlantic coast and was expected to bring heavy rain, storm surge and windy conditions over the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said Friday.
A storm churning in waters off the eastern U.S. has increased to tropical storm strength and is forecast to reach the North Carolina coast Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.
