Hurricane Michael carves path of destruction in Florida

Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida Wednesday afternoon packing winds of 249 kph — the most powerful hurricane to hit mainland U.S. in nearly 50 years.

The storm flooded towns and destroyed structures as it ripped ashore.

4:35 Hurricane Michael slams into Florida Panhandle

• Hurricane Michael slams into Florida Panhandle
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• ‘Disappointing’ that everyone didn’t evacuate: Florida governor
• Hurricane Michael: ‘Borderline Category 5’ storm slams Florida panhandle
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Residents were warned to evacuate as forecasters predicted deadly storm surge, heavy rains and catastrophic winds, but a Red Cross official says as many as 320,000 people on Florida’s Gulf Coast did not evacuate and are likely riding out the storm.

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The National Hurricane Center said Michael was set to be the first Category 4 hurricane to hit the area.

The storm was expected to move overland toward Georgia, on track to skim underneath Canada’s East Coast.

WATCH: Other hurricanes lose strength as they approach land, but Hurricane Michael got even more powerful. Meteorologist Anthony Farnell looks at why. 

1:46 Why Hurricane Michael picked up power and where it’s headed

Below is an archived live blog detailing the storm’s destruction as it made landfall Wednesday.