13 of those counties. Voluntary in another nine. Governor rick scott calling michael a monstrous, dangerous storm that could kill you. If you are under an evacuation order, listen to it. Leave now. Do not take a chance. You dont know if roads are going to get closed. Were going to do everything we can to help you, but do not wait. People preparing the best they can. Store shelves cleared out as residents stock up. 34 shelters opening, according to the governor, several hospitals closing in areas forecast to take the hardest hit. Cnn bringing you coverage from destin and apalachicola, the panhandle, and chad myers with the latest. A category four. Right. It grew overnight. The pressure went down. The wind speeds went up. The eye got smaller, and now were up to 140 Miles Per Hour. An airplane just flew through it, had a wind gust of 139 Miles Per Hour. Had a wind sustained at 129. This is the real deal. This isnt just some makeup, oh, lets push the numbers up so people panic. No, this is truly now a categoryfour hurricane that will make landfall close to panama city beach. Its close enough that we can see it on the radar. The eye is on the bottom of the screen there approaching that Florida Panhandle coast. Now, on the one sides we have st. Marks thats going to get a significant surge. The other side, destin will see a lot less, walton beach a lot less because of the offshore flow. The onshore flow from panama city to apalachicola is the part that will have significant damage here. Were going to have buildings, structure damage with wind, well have storm surge knocking buildings down. People need to be out of there. Hopefully they are. Theyve known if theyre in zone one, two, three, a, b, c, whatever it might be in your area. If youre near the water, even our crews are pulling back. This is the storm weve been concerned about for the panhandle. An area that didnt see much in the way of big weather. All of the buildings that are already plus or minus a strong 110 mileperhour storm are going to get torn apart in 140. Were still looking at a 13foot storm surge. Thats above high tide. With high tide, that could be a 15foot surge. Many people there along the coast not above that much. Also the Power Outages are going to be significant, as well. Power out it may be weeks. From the Florida Panhandle all the way up to where florence put down so much rain. The trees are just sitting there in mud. Those trees are going to fall down and take out power lines. May be more of an impact for savannah and charleston with this storm than we had with florence even though charleston looked like you were in florence for a while. You are certainly in this. 140 mileperhour storm, going to take time to wind down. The winds in savannah and charleston could easily be over 100 by the time it gets there. Well get a new update at 5 00. The plane is flying back and forth. They send back data every ten minutes, they are looking at the winds every 30 seconds. Well have that as soon as it comes in. Thank you. A 13foot storm surge, folks. Floridas panhandle bracing for Hurricane Michaels impact. Already we are seeing the impact. Derek van dam in florida with more. Reporter good morning. Just terrifying to hear what chad was talking about. The Reconnaissance Aircraft finding the wind gust of 139 Miles Per Hour. This is the real deal. We are in apalachicola, the big bend of floridas panhandle. I want to show you the virtual ghost town that is apalachicola. You see lights blinking in the background. Plenty of businesses boarded up. This area, the geography, if you were just to look at a map of this part of florida, the big bend, its in the shape of a c. It catches all the water from approaching hurricanes. That is why this region is so susceptible to storm surge. And also considering that much of the area is without the helpful nature of some of the sea islands that protect so much of the coastline of florida. Theres st. Georges island off the coast. If you go a little further to the east, then youre without the barrier island. That means that it is very likely that well see the storm surge of 13 feet. Thats what theyre calling for. We know what that means. Thats 13 feet above any particular location from where youre standing. That would easily inundate homes up through the first floor. I saw a Hurricane Storm surge benchmark from hurricane dennis back in 2005. And it showed the fourmeter storm surge that came through the region. It inundated and wiped out highway 98 that runs along the coastline of the big bend. This is what were shaping up to see with Hurricane Michael as it makes its final approach on the coastline of florida. Back to you. Stay safe, my friend. Joining us on the phone is the warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather service in tallahassee, via skype. Whats the latest on the watches and warnings in the panhandle . The warnings have not changed. Theyve been up for a while now. Hurricane warnings extend all the way across the entire length of the panhandle. Storm surge warnings are also in effect. The hurricane warnings extend pretty far inland, as far as albany, georgia, and so this system is going to its going to be bringing potentially sustained hurricaneforce winds inland. What is the most dangerous aspect of this storm . Well, the thing that usually kills the most people is the storm surge. And as we just heard in the last segment, the forecast storm surge is amazingly high. And the scary thing about this storm it seems to be strengthening. Were forecasting a category four at landfall thats unprecedented. That has not happened in historic record going back to 1851. Thats going to bring a lot of surge to the vulnerable bay. People in the evacuation zones, i hope they have gotten out of the way. Its going to be a deadly situation. In this case with the category four, the winds are going to be certainly enough to cause substantial structural damage. We have highrises across panama city beach. The higher you go, the winds will be hitting buildings. Were looking at surge and wind as potential killers. I know the water is always just the real danger, but these wind speeds are unbelievable. Im thinking of the stretch of coastline, you think of the development there. Are those built to withstand 130 mileperhour winds . Not exactly sure about the building codes on some of those. Theyre pretty sound structures from the look of them. A lot are concrete with the windows boarded up and what have you. Weve seen damage to highrises to similar structures in other cities. At the least, windows are going to be blown out. Theyre not going to be safe places. The flying debris is a real problem. Even Tropical Stormforce winds, it is deadly. Well check back with you as its warranted. More breaking news after this on early start. Today is the day youre going to get motivated. Get stronger. Get closer. Start listening today to the Worlds Largest selection of audiobooks on audible. And now, get more. For just 14. 95 a month, youll get a credit a month good for any audiobook, plus two Audible Originals exclusive titles you cant find anywhere else. If you dont like a book, you can exchange it any time, no questions asked. Automatically roll your credits over to the next month if you dont use them. With the free audible app, you can listen anytime, and anywhere. Plus for the first time ever, youll get access to exclusive fitness programs a 95 value free with membership. Start a 30day trial today and your first audiobook is free. Cancel anytime and your books are yours to keep forever. Audible. The most inspiring minds. The most compelling stories. Text listen9 to 500500 to start your free trial today. Continuing now our breaking News Coverage of Hurricane Michael. An extremely dangerous storm packing 139 mileperhour winds and lifethreatening storm surge. George howell live in destin, florida, where they are getting ready for the monster storm. Good morning. Reporter good day to you. 130 Miles Per Hour winds, what does that mean . It means downed power lines. Means trees will come down. It means that storm surge will be very strong here along the coastline. Some buildings will be compromised. Roofs may be torn off. Buildings will sustain damage from this powerful storm moving inland. Here in destin were feeling it this storm started an hour and a half ago. The conditions will continue to deteriorate. Around midday today, thats when the eye of the storm is tracking toward panama city, florida. Panama city, the bullseye for the strong category four, Hurricane Michael. East of panama city, the dirty side of the hurricanes. The northeastern quadrant. They will see the stronger winds, the possible tornadic activity the next several hours. It will certainly deteriorate, get much worse. Many people decided to evacuate. Some people decided to hide to ride it out. A hell of a ride. Thanks. The search for nikki haleys replacement begins. The u. S. Ambassador to the United Nations stunned washington with an announcement she plans to step down by the end of the year. Speculation rampant over the reason for her departure which a source says caught secretary of state mike pompeo and National Security adviser john bolton by surprise. Haley said he believes in term limits, that its time to step aside. One source says she wants to make more money to put two children through college. One thing haley was clear about, she will not run against President Trump. No, im not running for 2020. I can promise you what ill be doing is campaigning for this one. I look forward to supporting the president in the next election. The president heaped praise on haley calling her, quote, a fantastic person whos done an incredible job. Among the names floated to replace her, former deputy security adviser dina powell, currently at goldman sachs. Dinas certainly a person i would consider. And she is under consideration. We have actually many times r nam many names. Nikki is going to help with the choice. In fact, shes going to help with 2020. Rick grennell, ambassador to germany, also mentioned. And the president will name haleys successor in two to three weeks. He made a case for one possible replacement for nikki haley, his daughter ivanka. He insists there is no one more qualified. The people that know know that ivanka would be dynamite. I think shed be incredible. But id pick her id be accused of nepotism even owe this i dont think there would be anyone more confident in the world. Ivanka is not interested, tweeting it is an honor to serve in the white house alongside so many great colleagues. And i know that the president will nominate a formidable replacement for ambassador haley. That replacement will not be me. President trump heads to another Campaign Rally in erie, pennsylvania, with less than four weeks until the nerm electi until the midterm elections. He raged against the democrats insisting they had only one goal in the confirmation fight over Brett Kavanaugh. From the very first minute Brett Kavanaugh was nominated, radical democrats were on a mission to resist, obstruct, delay, demolish, and destroy. They wanted to destroy that man. They want to destroy me, too, but thats okay. [ boos ] me, we understand. Him, how can you do that . Nay want to destroy everything. Thats all theyre good at resisting. The whole campaign is resistment ours is to create. According to a new poll, democratic voters are fired up for the midterms. 54 of likely voters saying they support the democrat in their district with 41 backing a republic republican. Thats the widest margin of support since 1986, the last time the dems won the house. The fiancee of missing writer khashoggi says he was concerned he might be in danger when he went to the saudi consulate in istanbul to pick up paperwork for their marriage. Shes calling on the Saudi King Salman to prove her fiance left the building as the saudis claim. President trump is concerned about khashoggis disappearance. We have deals about a meeting between President Trump and north Korean Leader kim jongun. The president says it is happening and, quote, not too far away. He said it probably would not happen in singapore like the first. The president praised what he called his administrations speedy progress easy tensions with pyongyang. I have agreed to meet. And i have agreed to spend time. But how long has it been since we left singapore . Three months or so. I think the speed is amazing. Later the president said the next summit with north korea would have to happen after the midterm elections because hes too busy now campaigning for republican candidates. Hurricane michael already disrupting u. S. Oil production. Weve got that next. X1 is here to help. You can do things like change your settings, learn tips and tricks, troubleshoot, and even manage your account. Finding your Xfinity Username or wifi password, restarting your equipment, or paying your bill is easier than ever with x1. X1 help. Another reason to love x1. Say teach me more into your voice remote to get started. Hurricane michael has yet to make landfall but its already disrupting u. S. Oil. The gulf of mexico is a huge source of Oil Production in the u. S. Bp and chevron began bracing for the hurricane monday, evacuating offshore production platforms in the storms path. 75 have been cleared so far. About 11 of the manned platforms in the area, unlike oil rigs, production platforms dont move. Companies shut down three rigs in the area. They moved eight others. Thats cut off nearly 40 of oil output in the gulf of mexico. Thats a big hit. Its stemmed natural gas by 28 . The Production Cut sent u. S. Crude prices 1 higher yesterday, rising to just below 75 a barrel. Oil prices already rising because of tight Global Supply and looming sanctions on iran oil. Higher crude prices mean higher gas prices. Right now the average cost per gallon is 40 cents higher than this time last year. Taylor swift using her acceptance speech for artist of the year at the American Music awards to send a political message to her millions of adoring fans. This award and every single award given out tonight were voted on by the people. You know what else is voted on by the people [ cheers ] is the midterm elections on november 6th. Get out and vote. I love you guys. Not shying away. On sunday, swift announced on instagram shed be voting for Democratic Candidates in her home state of tennessee. Tuesday President Trump said he liked her music, quote, about 25 less now. Thats her First Political endorsement ever. Yeah. Shes always been quiet. Made a lot of news. And registration spiked after the statement. The Boston Red Sox moving on to the American League championship series. The new york yankees staying home. The bronx bomberts at home rallying for two runs off boston closer Craig Kimbrell in the ninth. Falling short of the alds 43. That was torres, just out at first after the replay. That set off the boston celebration. Red sox will face the defending champion Houston Astros starting saturday. Winner heads to the world series. Friday its dodgers and brewers in the national league. Our top story, florida bracing for what would be the most powerful hurricane to hit the panhandle in more than a century. A category four. More breaking News Coverage of Hurricane Michael after this. These folks, they dont have time to go to the post office they have businesses to grow customers to care for lives to get home to they use stamps. Com print discounted postage for any letter any package any time right from your computer all the Amazing Services of the post office only cheaper get our special tv offer a 4week trial plus postage and a digital scale go to stamps. Com tv and never go to the post office again welcome back to early start. Im christine romans. Im dave briggs. It is 4 30 eastern time. Welcome to our viewers in the u. S. And around the world. Our breaking News Coverage of Hurricane Michael continues. Now hours away from landing a devastating blow on the Florida Panhandle. In the last couple of hours, michael has grown to a categoryfour storm. That makes it the most powerful hurricane to hit the panhandle in more than a century. At least 22 counties have nearly 2. 5 million residents under evacuation orders at this hour. Mandatory evacuation orders in 13 of those counties. Voluntary in another nine. Florida governor rick scott calling michael a monstrous, dangerous storm that could kill you. If youre under an evacuation order, listen to it. Leave now. Do not take a chance. Were going to do everything we can to help you, but do not wait. People across the panhandle preparing as best they can. Store shelves cleared out as residents stock up. 34 shelters opening according to the governor. Several hospitals closing in the area forecast to take the hardest hit. We have live coverage from destin and apalachicola on the panhandle, and from the Weather Center where we start with chad myers. Good morning. What is on the way . Good morning, dave. 140 mileperhour storm with higher gusts right now. Flightlevel gusts at 159 Miles Per Hour. No one lives at flight level but the brave men and women in these planes deserve credit from all of us to tell us whats going on. Theyve been bri