Hurricane Michael (2018)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

October 6, 2018 to October 15, 2018

Peak strength

Category 5, 140 kt (161 mph)

Lowest pressure

919 mb (27.14 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

12.5

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

400 nmi (741 km, 460 mi) from the center at its widest

Hurricane-force wind reached

180 nmi (333 km, 207 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

10 nmi (19 km, 12 mi)

Overall size

270 nmi (500 km, 311 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

165 kt (190 mph)

Fastest the center moved

55 kt (63 mph)

Identifier

AL142018

Radar at KEVX as it neared land, Oct 10, 17:30 UTC

The sources count different things and are not added together.

Landfall points the US agencies flagged in the best track. The nearest town is named from the site’s gazetteer, not from the report.

NOAA’s Storm Events database, the record National Weather Service offices compile months after a storm, as compiled March 2026.

Deaths

59 (15 direct, 44 indirect)

Injuries

3

Property damage

$11 billion

Crop damage

$4.4 billion

Events recorded

481 in 37 reports from 14 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

159 tropical storm, 52 flash flood, 46 marine thunderstorm wind, 45 flood, 37 hurricane (typhoon), 32 strong wind, 22 marine tropical storm, 18 heavy rain, 17 coastal flood, 16 storm surge/tide, 9 tornado, 9 thunderstorm wind, 6 marine hurricane/typhoon, 5 waterspout, 3 high surf, 2 debris flow, 2 high wind, 1 funnel cloud.

9 tornadoes and 5 waterspouts recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The Weather Prediction Center attributes 6,291 rain gauge totals over the contiguous United States to this storm. The wettest reached 13.01 inches (330 mm).

WPC’s storm rainfall file, 1900 to 2020, compiled by David Roth.

The strongest winds National Weather Service offices recorded with this storm. An estimated figure is a forecaster’s judgment from the damage, not an instrument reading.

From the Storm Events narratives, unedited.

The large circulation around Hurricane Michael located near the western tip of Cuba combined with high pressure to the north caused quick-moving showers with gusty winds to move west across central Florida from the Atlantic. As these showers moved over inland lakes, wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph occurred. A boat containing two men who were fishing on Lake Monroe capsized due to choppy seas created by the gusty winds. One man, who was wearing a non-secured life vest, drifted away from the boat and was found deceased the following day. The other man retrieved his lift vest while hanging onto the side of the boat and was rescued nearly 24 hours later. He was transported to a local hospital, suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion and was later released.

Seminole, Florida · Thunderstorm Wind · Oct 8, 18:30 UTC

The National Ocean Service gauge at Bay Waveland Yacht Club reported 3.31 feet of surge during the evening hours of the 8th. Coastal flooding impacted numerous roads in the low lying Shoreline Park area, where approximately a foot of water was noted on the roads during high tide periods on the 8th and 9th.

Hancock, Mississippi · Storm Surge/Tide · Oct 9, 02:00 UTC

Approximately 2 to 2.5 feet of surge on Lake Pontchartrain was noted at USGS and COE gauges at the Rigolets and at Mandeville during the high tide cycle overnight on the 9th-10th. This resulted in minor to moderate flooding of low lying roadways near Lake Pontchartrain, with a few roads becoming impassible. The highest water levels were observed in the Palm Lake area and other low lying portions of Slidell. Water also covered Lakeshore Drive in Mandeville.

St. Tammany, Louisiana · Storm Surge/Tide · Oct 10, 02:00 UTC

The National Ocean Service gauge at Grand Isle reported 2 feet of storm surge. This caused minor coastal flooding which resulted in water covering low lying roadways around Grand Isle and Louisiana Highway 1. The maximum water depth over the roadway was estimated at 1 foot.

Lower Jefferson, Louisiana · Storm Surge/Tide · Oct 10, 02:00 UTC

The maximum storm surge at Cedar Key was measured to be 4.52 feet MHHW at 10:36 am EDT on the 10th. This surge on top of the normal tide cycle resulted in a maximum water level of 4.09 feet MHHW at 3:54 pm EDT. The surge resulted in several road closures across the county. Water entered 2 homes and 2 businesses in Cedar Key, and 4 homes in Yankeetown, causing minimal damage to each. The damage amount was roughly estimated at $10,000 per structure impacted.

Coastal Levy, Florida · Storm Surge/Tide · Oct 10, 17:00 UTC

Minor wind damage was observed across the county, which included numerous trees blown down and power outages. At 730 pm on 10/10, a power lines was blown down near Haley Circle. Between 1025 pm and 11 pm on 10/10, numerous reports of wind damage were reported. At 1025 pm, a reported of damage to the roof of a convenience store was received. After a storm survey, it was confirmed that ta back office behind the store had its roof blown off, and it was laid onto the roof of the store. At 10:25 pm, a report of a fallen tree onto a trailer was received in Bushnell. At 10:30 pm, a chicken house was blown down in Pridgen. There were unconfirmed reports of major roof damage to a church in Ambrose, but the church could not be found during the post storm survey. There were over 200 residents sheltered from mobile homes in the county.

Coffee, Georgia · Tropical Storm · Oct 10, 23:30 UTC

Winds associated with Tropical Storm Michael downed 45 or more trees throughout the county, many involving power lines down as well. 2 trees on houses were reported on Ravenel Rd and on Warren St in Augusta. 2 power poles were either snapped or down in roadway. Over 5600 power outages reported. The highest measured wind gust in the county was 52 MPH at Augusta Bush Field at 0326 EST (0426 EDT) on October 11. A 47 MPH wind gust was measured at Augusta Daniel Field at 0338 EST (0438 EDT) on October 11.

Richmond, Georgia · Tropical Storm · Oct 11, 02:00 UTC

Winds associated with Tropical Storm Michael downed several trees, and some power lines, throughout the county. Locations of downed trees and/or power lines included: the intersection of SC Hwy 391 and SC Hwy 23 in Batesburg, Cromer Rd at Oak Dr and also Jessamine Rd near Oak Grove, near the towns of South Congaree and Pine Ridge, and near Wire Rd and Two Notch Rd east of Gilbert. A report received via social media indicated that a tree fell on a house on Quail Hollow Lane near St. Andrews. The highest measured wind gust in Lexington County was 46 MPH at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport at 0718 EST (0818 EDT) on October 11.

Lexington, South Carolina · Tropical Storm · Oct 11, 04:00 UTC

A tornado, associated with Tropical Storm Michael, touched down near Joe Collins Rd near Wateree around 0322 EST (0422 EDT), uprooting several trees along the road. It continued northward across Reynolds Rd causing a large hardwood tree to uproot and block the road. Several other nearby trees were also uprooted, falling opposite in direction of the larger tree. The tornado continued northward across a large clear-cut forest before causing additional minor tree damage on Hallwood Rd and Alice Johnson Rd. The tornado moved northward into Eastover where several trees were uprooted on Henry St before the tornado lifted around 0330 EST (0430 EDT).

Richland, South Carolina · Tornado · Oct 11, 08:22 UTC

The COOP observer at Keysville 2 S (KYSV2) measured 9.02 inches for the 24-hours ending at 700 AM local time, October 12, 2018. This was the highest 24-hour rainfall amount at this station with partial data back to 1979. The old record was 5.50 inches in July, 2005. In addition, the 9.02 inches is the 3rd highest 24-hour amount for any COOP station in the climate record for the NWS Blacksburg. According to the observer, most of this rain fell in about a 3.5 hour period on the afternoon of the 11th. For the 24-hour duration 9.02 inches falls into the 90 percent confidence interval (8.19-10.2 inches) for a 200-year (.002 annual chance event). For a duration of even 6 hours (being very conservative) the rainfall frequency was in excess of the 1,000 year event (.001 annual chance).

Charlotte, Virginia · Heavy Rain · Oct 11, 11:00 UTC

Bands of heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Michael began rotating across the county in the mid-morning and amounts from 2 to 4 inches in several hours were observed. According to later news reports several businesses on 10th Street in North Wilkesboro had water enter their buildings. Cub Creek flooded a portion of Cub Creek Park in Wilkesboro. Flooding was also reported in the Roaring River community where part of the road between NC 268 East and the bridge over the Yadkin was flooded. The Reddies River at North Wilkesboro (REDN7) contributed to the flooding and crested at its highest stage (11.35 feet) since November, 1989 when it reached 11.72 feet. Several bridges across the upper Reddies were flooded.

Wilkes, North Carolina · Flash Flood · Oct 11, 14:00 UTC

Dispatch reports of roads closed by high water started as early as noon with 13 roads reported closed at one time. The CREST hydrologic model indicated the highest runoff across western sections of Surry County. Two water rescues were rerported, one of those on Rockford Road just before reaching the Yadkin River bridge, and the other was on Longhill Road in the Pilot Mountain area. Flooding along Big Elkin creek flooded portions of the the Elkin High School athletic fields, the Elkin Park and closed Memorial Park Drive. There was damage in to walking trails in the park. In addition, flooding along the Mitchell River destroyed the historic Kapp's Mill dam in the Mountain Park area. The County was later included in a request by the state of North Carolina for a Presidential Major Disaster declaration.

Surry, North Carolina · Flash Flood · Oct 11, 14:30 UTC

Halifax County was included in a Presidential Major Disaster declaration due to the severe flooding associated with Tropical Storm Michael. Rainfall of 4 to 8 inches in several hours triggered widespread flash flooding across the county with numerous roads closed and extensive damage. County officials described it as 'the worst, most devastating storm we've ever seen in the county'. The 911 dispatch center had more than 300 calls for assistance between 5:00 and 7:00 PM on the 11th and more than 700 by 7:00 AM the next day Among the reports received was Lawless Creek as much as 300 feet out of its banks and flooding a church. News photos showed a portion of Pumping Hill Road near Nathalie completely destroyed. Several water rescues were made, including one on Terry���s Bridge Road near Scottsburg on Friday morning the 12th. A debris flow closed a portion of Route 58 in southwest Halifax.

Halifax, Virginia · Flash Flood · Oct 11, 21:00 UTC

The Co-Ops location at Brazos Santiago peaked at a level of 1.96 feet above MHHW, which was approximately 1.5 feet above predicted levels and a good proxy for conditions on the beaches from Boca Chica to South Padre Island - at 948 PM CST the evening of October 12th. The water levels translated to tidal run-up and overwash that flooded the beach and went well into the dunes, with water up to the stair cases of beachfront property not protected by sea walls. Some erosion was noted by local officials following the coastal flood, but damage was unknown.

Coastal Cameron, Texas · Coastal Flood · Oct 13, 01:48 UTC

• Tropical Storm AlbertoNorth Atlantic · 2018Tropical Storm55 kt · 990 mb
• Hurricane BerylNorth Atlantic · 2018Cat 170 kt · 991 mb
• Hurricane ChrisNorth Atlantic · 2018Cat 290 kt · 969 mb
• Tropical Storm DebbyNorth Atlantic · 2018Tropical Storm45 kt · 998 mb
• Tropical Storm ErnestoNorth Atlantic · 2018Tropical Storm40 kt · 999 mb
• Hurricane FlorenceNorth Atlantic · 2018 · 32 deathsCat 4130 kt · 937 mb
• Tropical Storm GordonNorth Atlantic · 2018Tropical Storm60 kt · 996 mb
• Hurricane IsaacNorth Atlantic · 2018Cat 165 kt · 995 mb
• Hurricane HeleneNorth Atlantic · 2018Cat 295 kt · 967 mb
• Tropical Storm JoyceNorth Atlantic · 2018Tropical Storm45 kt · 995 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2018Tropical Depression30 kt · 1007 mb
• Hurricane LeslieNorth Atlantic · 2018 · 11 deathsCat 180 kt · 968 mb
• Tropical Storm KirkNorth Atlantic · 2018Tropical Storm55 kt · 998 mb
• Tropical Storm NadineNorth Atlantic · 2018Tropical Storm55 kt · 995 mb
• Hurricane OscarNorth Atlantic · 2018Cat 295 kt · 952 mb

A best track is the record a warning agency settles on after the storm, not what it said at the time: position, maximum sustained wind and central pressure every six hours, revised against every observation that came in later. Category is the Saffir-Simpson scale, which runs from Category 1 at 64 kt to Category 5 at 137 kt and reads wind only, so it says nothing about surge or rain. Accumulated cyclone energy adds up the square of the wind through the storm's life, so it counts strength and duration together.

Storm history from NOAA NCEI’s International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), which merges the official best track of every warning agency. Live storms, cones, watches and warnings from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived radar from NOAA’s Level II archive.

• Tropical cyclone report, National Hurricane Center
• Every advisory and discussion NHC issued while it was live
• Best track as KMZ, National Hurricane Center
• Best track as a shapefile, National Hurricane Center
• Wikipedia article: Hurricane Michael