News 12 caught up with some people Wednesday who were heading to Orlando, Florida, as Hurricane Michael hit the state.

Inside Westchester County Airport, Gerry and Rich Furlong, of Connecticut, watched footage of the storm hitting Florida. The snowbirds were headed to their winter home in Orlando, located in central Florida.

They're among the lucky ones who were not directly in the path of Michael, and they say they're thankful for that. They did see some serious damage last year during Hurricane Irma.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state will be deploying 95 National Guard airmen and soldiers to both Gulfport, Mississippi, and Tallahassee, Florida.  They will be focusing on search-and-rescue as some residents have chosen not to evacuate before the life-threatening, Category 4 hurricane made landfall.

Michael brought with it winds strong enough to rip off roofs, uproot trees and cause major power outages.

Westchester's Red Cross chapter says it has already deployed a few people to the Florida Panhandle. It plans to send more resources, but is for now waiting to find out where it is needed most.