HAARP research has history in the Panhandle.  Eglin; Tyndall; Mariana Army Airfield, etc. were all linked to HAARP and MKU research. Notice how NWS waited a couple weeks to upgrade the storm surge from 9' to 17-19'?  Rumor has it that the NWS black box on the water tower in Mexico Beach was recovered and had data supporting a cat 5, not 4 hurricane.  Hurrican Opal (1995) took almost the identical path and looked like an attempt to create what Hurricane Michael did.  We will never know.