(CNN) The storm-weary Carolinas are preparing for another round of strong winds and drenching rains -- this time from Hurricane Michael.

Michael is speeding toward the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4 storm, and is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon.

From there, it'll move into the Southeast and some areas in North and South Carolina, where it's expected to bring strong wind gusts and drop 3 to 5 inches of rain when it passes central parts of the states Thursday and Friday, CNN meteorologist Michael Guy said.

While it doesn't sound like much compared to last month's record Florence rainfall of 30 inches or more in some areas, any amount of rainfall on already saturated grounds could lead to flooding.

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