NEW YORK, NY — Hurricane Michael has strengthened to a Category 3 storm as the Florida Panhandle and eastern Alabama brace for what forecasters say could be a “potentially catastrophic” storm. The hurricane is now spinning about 295 miles south of Panama City, Florida, and has sustained winds of 120 mph, the National Hurricane Center wrote in its latest advisory.

The news comes as Florida braces for deadly storm surge, hurricane force winds and life-threatening flash flooding. The state expanded its state of emergency to cover 35 counties ahead of Michael’s arrival. The massive storm is expected to make landfall Wednesday near the Alabama-Florida border as a dangerous Category 3 storm before continuing its path across the southeastern part of the country Wednesday night and Thursday, the center said.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued as residents in coastal areas hurriedly boarded up their homes and businesses, The Associated Press reported. Roughly 120,000 people were told told leave in Panama City Beach and across other low-lying parts of the coast.

A storm surge warning is in effect from the Okaloosa County line to the Anclote River. A storm surge watch is in effect from that river to Anna Maria — including Tampa Bay — and from the Alabama-Florida border to the Okaloosa/Walton County line.

A hurricane warning is in effect from the Alabama-Florida border to the Suwannee River, and a hurricane watch is in effect from the Alabama-Florida border to the Mississippi-Alabama border.

Michael could become “potentially catastrophic,” the hurricane center said Monday night. While it’s still too early to say for certain where the storm will end up, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware are expected to feel its effects.

“We are projecting a major hurricane to affect the Florida panhandle coast over the next few days,” NHC Director Ken Graham said in a Facebook Live video. Winds could approach 120 mph and tropical storm force winds could reach as far as southeastern Louisiana and a large swath of Mississippi.

Heavy rain could produce deadly flash flooding from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region into portions of Georgia and South Carolina, the center warned.

Graham recommended residents finish preparations by Tuesday at the latest.

“Tomorrow into Wednesday we need to be ready,” he said Monday.

Michael will produce very dangerous storm surge, which causes half the tropical storm-related deaths. Storm surge of 6-9 feet is possible for much of the panhandle, with some areas seeing as much as 12 feet.

“Not every place will get that, but it’s your typical places where water gets trapped,” said Graham. Even the Tampa area could see 2-4 feet of storm surge, he added.

A hurricane warning is in effect for parts of Cuba and a tropical storm warning is in effect for the Mexico coastline, including Cozumel. A hurricane watch is in effect for the Alabama-Florida border to Suwannee River in Florida.

A storm surge watch is in effect for coastal areas of the Florida panhandle down to the Tampa Bay area. Storm surge, rain and wind gusts are possible over portions of the northern Gulf Coast by the middle of this week, the agency wrote in its advisory.

The Florida panhandle and Big Bend into southern Georgia could see 4-8 inches of rain. Some areas, particularly near Tallahassee, could see up to a foot of rain, and the hurricane center warned of potentially deadly flash flooding

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has activated 500 National Guard troops. In a news briefing Tuesday afternoon, Scott didn’t mince words about the dangers the hurricane poses to residents.

“Let me be clear, ” he said. “Hurricane Michael is a monstrous storm and we’re just hours away from seeing impacts. This is the most destructive storm to hit the Panhandle in decades. This storm could kill you.”

He said the Gulf Coast from Cedar Key to Apalachicola can expect torrential rains, winds of more than 110 mph and storm surge of 8-12 feet. There will be flash flooding, structures ripped from their foundations, giant trees uprooted and massive power outages.

“This storm will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous,” said Scott. “This storm has the potential to bring devastating impacts to communities across the Panhandle and Big Bend.”

The Florida Keys could also see between 2-4 inches through Monday as well from the storm’s outer rain bands.

The storm is moving north at about 12 mph and is expected to pick up speed in the coming days.

In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for the entire state expecting mass power outages and severe thunderstorms when the storm makes landfall. Southeastern Alabama will likely get the worst of the storm, in cities such as Dothan, Eufaula and Troy.

Several inches of rain are expected in parts of the state south of the Interstate 85 corridor.

“Alabama is once again in the path of a hurricane, but I know Alabamians will once again come together and be prepared for whatever Michael may bring,” Ivey said. “On the state level we are prepared, now is the time for residents in south Alabama to review your emergency preparedness plans and also get prepared. Tomorrow we will start seeing the effects of Michael and those in its path will need to take shelter by tomorrow evening.”

In Georgia, Michael is expected to bring flash flooding and possibly tornadoes to beginning Wednesday. Flash flood watches are set to go into effect that day throughout the state, with up to 7 inches of rain possible in eastern Georgia. Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for 92 central and southern counties.

Patch reporters D’Ann Lawrence White, Michael Seale and Tim Darnell contributed to this article.

Photo credit: National Hurricane Center