“This Is Going To Kill People”: Hurricane Matthew Closes In On Florida
What We Know So Far
- Hurricane Matthew is a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph.
- Hurricane warnings are in effect for portions of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and the Bahamas.
- “If a direct landfall occurs this will be unlike any hurricane in the modern era,” the National Weather Service said.
- The storm is packing flooding rain, battering winds, and dangerous storm surge.
- To prepare for impact, the governors of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina have declared states of emergency.
- The storm made landfall in Haiti Tuesday morning, becoming the first Category 4 hurricane to strike the country since Hurricane Cleo in 1964. Matthew later made landfall a second time in Cuba.
- At least 283 deaths have been blamed on the storm in Haiti.
- Matthew was briefly a Category 5 storm, becoming the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean since 2007.
- Hurricane Matthew is a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph.
- Hurricane warnings are in effect for portions of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and the Bahamas.
- “If a direct landfall occurs this will be unlike any hurricane in the modern era,” the National Weather Service said.
- The storm is packing flooding rain, battering winds, and dangerous storm surge.
- To prepare for impact, the governors of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina have declared states of emergency.
- The storm made landfall in Haiti Tuesday morning, becoming the first Category 4 hurricane to strike the country since Hurricane Cleo in 1964. Matthew later made landfall a second time in Cuba.
- At least 283 deaths have been blamed on the storm in Haiti.
- Matthew was briefly a Category 5 storm, becoming the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean since 2007.
Forecast Track Map
NHC
NHC
Updates
Posted at 8:52 a.m., Oct. 7
Posted at 8:52 a.m., Oct. 7
President Obama declares emergency in Georgia as Hurricane Matthew approaches
Josh Sweat moves a shopping cart return rack during storm preparations for Hurricane Matthew Thursday in Darien, Georgia. Stephen B. Morton / AP
President Obama declared an emergency in Georgia late Thursday night as Hurricane Matthew continued to threaten the southeastern seaboard.
Obama’s declaration makes federal funding and other resources available to Georgia. It also follows similar declarations in Florida and South Carolina. Governors in those states, as well as in North Carolina, have declared emergencies as well.
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 6:35 a.m., Oct. 7
Josh Sweat moves a shopping cart return rack during storm preparations for Hurricane Matthew Thursday in Darien, Georgia. Stephen B. Morton / AP
President Obama declared an emergency in Georgia late Thursday night as Hurricane Matthew continued to threaten the southeastern seaboard.
Obama’s declaration makes federal funding and other resources available to Georgia. It also follows similar declarations in Florida and South Carolina. Governors in those states, as well as in North Carolina, have declared emergencies as well.
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 6:35 a.m., Oct. 7
Haitian death toll from Hurricane Matthew rises to 283 people
Destroyed houses are seen in Jeremie, Haiti, Thursday. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
Haiti’s interior ministry said late Thursday that the death toll from Hurricane Matthew had climbed to 283 people, the Associated Press reported.
The numbers are the latest in a steadily increasing death toll after the hurricane walloped the island nation Tuesday. Officials also said the death toll was likely to rise even more.
“There is severe damage to the communities, and hundreds of deaths are expected and many more injured,” Enzo di Taranto, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Haiti, told the New York Times. “There will be a severe impact on the environment, agriculture and water systems.”
Posted at 5:16 a.m., Oct. 7
Destroyed houses are seen in Jeremie, Haiti, Thursday. Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
Haiti’s interior ministry said late Thursday that the death toll from Hurricane Matthew had climbed to 283 people, the Associated Press reported.
The numbers are the latest in a steadily increasing death toll after the hurricane walloped the island nation Tuesday. Officials also said the death toll was likely to rise even more.
“There is severe damage to the communities, and hundreds of deaths are expected and many more injured,” Enzo di Taranto, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Haiti, told the New York Times. “There will be a severe impact on the environment, agriculture and water systems.”
Posted at 5:16 a.m., Oct. 7
Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Hurricane Matthew: “It’s a monster”
People take shelter at Mainland High School in Jacksonville Thursday. Drew Angerer / Getty Images
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a series of stern warnings about Hurricane Matthew on Thursday, urging people take shelter from a “monster” storm.
Scott, who has been touring the state for days in preparation for the hurricane, said at a news conference that Florida would see widespread power outages, flooding, possible tornadoes, and the potential for storm surge and waves to go over the roofs of coastal homes.
“We’re already starting to see the impacts and it’s a monster,” he said.
In response to the threat, Scott instituted a curfew in some communities and activated 3,500 National Guard troops.
“This is the most I’ve ever had to activate,” he said.
Scott also outlined ways to stay safe, telling people to evacuate, to have enough provisions for three days, and to get away from areas that could be impacted by the storm.
“We want everybody to survive this horrible storm,” he added. “It’s the most import thing we can do.”
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 5:08 a.m., Oct. 7
People take shelter at Mainland High School in Jacksonville Thursday. Drew Angerer / Getty Images
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a series of stern warnings about Hurricane Matthew on Thursday, urging people take shelter from a “monster” storm.
Scott, who has been touring the state for days in preparation for the hurricane, said at a news conference that Florida would see widespread power outages, flooding, possible tornadoes, and the potential for storm surge and waves to go over the roofs of coastal homes.
“We’re already starting to see the impacts and it’s a monster,” he said.
In response to the threat, Scott instituted a curfew in some communities and activated 3,500 National Guard troops.
“This is the most I’ve ever had to activate,” he said.
Scott also outlined ways to stay safe, telling people to evacuate, to have enough provisions for three days, and to get away from areas that could be impacted by the storm.
“We want everybody to survive this horrible storm,” he added. “It’s the most import thing we can do.”
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 5:08 a.m., Oct. 7
The death toll in Haiti rises to at least 260
![]()
The government said on Thursday that the death toll from Hurricane Matthew has risen to at least 260 after “several dozen” bodies were discovered in a coastal town on the southwestern peninsula of Haiti, Reuters reported. It took rescue workers several days to reach the area because of the extreme destruction from the storm.
In the peninsula’s main city, Jeremie, 80% of its buildings were leveled, BBC News reported. In Sud province 30,000 homes were damaged.
— Michelle Broder Van Dyke
Posted at 4:16 a.m., Oct. 7
The government said on Thursday that the death toll from Hurricane Matthew has risen to at least 260 after “several dozen” bodies were discovered in a coastal town on the southwestern peninsula of Haiti, Reuters reported. It took rescue workers several days to reach the area because of the extreme destruction from the storm.In the peninsula’s main city, Jeremie, 80% of its buildings were leveled, BBC News reported. In Sud province 30,000 homes were damaged.— Michelle Broder Van Dyke
Posted at 4:16 a.m., Oct. 7
These photos show how devastating Hurricane Matthew has already been
Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
For more photos on the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew as it pushes on to Florida, go here.
—Kate Bubacz
Posted at 3:55 a.m., Oct. 7
Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
For more photos on the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew as it pushes on to Florida, go here.
—Kate Bubacz
Posted at 3:55 a.m., Oct. 7
President Obama declares a state of emergency in South Carolina as Hurricane Matthew approaches the US
Workers secure plywood over the windows of the Confederate Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, Thursday. Jonathan Drake / Reuters
President Obama declared a state of emergency Thursday for South Carolina, opening the door for federal aid.
In announcing the declaration, Obama said the objective was to save lives and “lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.”
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 3:04 a.m., Oct. 7
Workers secure plywood over the windows of the Confederate Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, Thursday. Jonathan Drake / Reuters
President Obama declared a state of emergency Thursday for South Carolina, opening the door for federal aid.
In announcing the declaration, Obama said the objective was to save lives and “lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.”
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 3:04 a.m., Oct. 7
US Coast Guard video shows massive damage in Haiti after Hurricane Matthew
Video published Thursday by the US Coast Guard shows massive damage to buildings and other infrastructure in Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.
The video was shot by a Miami-based Ocean Sentry airplane crew that flew over Haiti on Wednesday. According to the Coast Guard, the crew saw “heavy coastal flooding and significant damage” to buildings, highways, another other infrastructure in both the south and north sides of the island nation.
In the video, entire neighborhoods appear to exhibit significant damage. Homes with destroyed roofs and collapsed walls are visible, as are toppled trees and flooded streets.
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 2:05 a.m., Oct. 7
Video published Thursday by the US Coast Guard shows massive damage to buildings and other infrastructure in Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.
The video was shot by a Miami-based Ocean Sentry airplane crew that flew over Haiti on Wednesday. According to the Coast Guard, the crew saw “heavy coastal flooding and significant damage” to buildings, highways, another other infrastructure in both the south and north sides of the island nation.
In the video, entire neighborhoods appear to exhibit significant damage. Homes with destroyed roofs and collapsed walls are visible, as are toppled trees and flooded streets.
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 2:05 a.m., Oct. 7
Forecasters call Hurricane Matthew storm surge “worst case scenario”
A satellite image shows Hurricane Matthew moving northwest of Cuba towards the Atlantic coast of southern Florida Thursday.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Florida, referred to Hurricane Matthew as a “worst case storm surge scenario” Thursday.
In a warning posted Thursday afternoon, forecasters said that a major storm hadn’t hit the area since 1898 and that there is “no local living memory of the potential of this event.”
The NWS said “catastrophic damage is anticipated for coastal areas,” with winds hitting 125 mph.
“Some of the lowest barrier island will be completely overtopped with large battering wave and life threatening flooding,” NWS also warned.
The agency urged people in the storm’s path to evacuate.
“If a direct landfall occurs this will be unlike any hurricane in the modern era,” it warned.
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 1:47 a.m., Oct. 7
A satellite image shows Hurricane Matthew moving northwest of Cuba towards the Atlantic coast of southern Florida Thursday.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Florida, referred to Hurricane Matthew as a “worst case storm surge scenario” Thursday.
In a warning posted Thursday afternoon, forecasters said that a major storm hadn’t hit the area since 1898 and that there is “no local living memory of the potential of this event.”
The NWS said “catastrophic damage is anticipated for coastal areas,” with winds hitting 125 mph.
“Some of the lowest barrier island will be completely overtopped with large battering wave and life threatening flooding,” NWS also warned.
The agency urged people in the storm’s path to evacuate.
“If a direct landfall occurs this will be unlike any hurricane in the modern era,” it warned.
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 1:47 a.m., Oct. 7
The Weather Channel implores people to flee ahead of Hurricane Matthew: “Do not assume you can survive.”
The @WeatherChannel just aired this unusual message from@TWCBryan, urging evacuations. "This is not hyperbole, and I am not kidding..."
![]()
The Weather Channel’s hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross implored people to flee ahead of Hurricane Matthew Thursday, describing the storm as both devastating and unprecedented.
“This is like no storm in the record books,” Norcross said, adding that it was a “mistake” to stay in evacuation zones. “I cannot overstate the danger of this storm. Central and north Florida have never been hit by a storm this strong.”
Norcross went on to say that the storm would like make history, causing “overwhelming damage” and “likely, loss of life.”
“Do not assume you can survive if you choose to stay,” Norcross also said.
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 11:17 p.m., Oct. 6
The @WeatherChannel just aired this unusual message from@TWCBryan, urging evacuations. "This is not hyperbole, and I am not kidding..."
The Weather Channel’s hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross implored people to flee ahead of Hurricane Matthew Thursday, describing the storm as both devastating and unprecedented.
“This is like no storm in the record books,” Norcross said, adding that it was a “mistake” to stay in evacuation zones. “I cannot overstate the danger of this storm. Central and north Florida have never been hit by a storm this strong.”
Norcross went on to say that the storm would like make history, causing “overwhelming damage” and “likely, loss of life.”
“Do not assume you can survive if you choose to stay,” Norcross also said.
— Jim Dalrymple II
Posted at 11:17 p.m., Oct. 6
President Obama declares a state of emergency in Florida
Mark Wilson / Getty Images
President Obama declared a state of emergency in Florida and ordered federal aid to the state.
The president authorized FEMA to provide resources and equipment to help with the impact of the storm.
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 10:42 p.m., Oct. 6
Mark Wilson / Getty Images
President Obama declared a state of emergency in Florida and ordered federal aid to the state.
The president authorized FEMA to provide resources and equipment to help with the impact of the storm.
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 10:42 p.m., Oct. 6
Hillary Clinton delays Weather Channel ad until after the storm
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has delayed a planned Florida ad on the Weather Channel until after the storm has passed.
“We have requested that stations in Florida delay any of those ads on the Weather Channel until after the storm passes,” spokesman Jesse Ferguson said in a statement.
Clinton’s campaign had planned to air $63,000 worth of ads on the Weather Channel for a five-day period, starting Thursday, according to Politico.
![]()
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 10:29 p.m., Oct. 6
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has delayed a planned Florida ad on the Weather Channel until after the storm has passed.
“We have requested that stations in Florida delay any of those ads on the Weather Channel until after the storm passes,” spokesman Jesse Ferguson said in a statement.
Clinton’s campaign had planned to air $63,000 worth of ads on the Weather Channel for a five-day period, starting Thursday, according to Politico.
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 10:29 p.m., Oct. 6
The death toll has risen to 108 in Haiti
![]()
Interior Minister Francois Anick Joseph announced the new death toll Thursday, according to the AP.
Previously, officials had said there were four people killed in the Dominican Republic, one in Colombia, and one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
There are no immediate details on the deaths.
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 9:25 p.m., Oct. 6
Interior Minister Francois Anick Joseph announced the new death toll Thursday, according to the AP.
Previously, officials had said there were four people killed in the Dominican Republic, one in Colombia, and one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
There are no immediate details on the deaths.
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 9:25 p.m., Oct. 6
Airbnb activates disaster response tool in Florida and South Carolina
Carl Court / Getty Images
Airbnb activated its disaster response tool on Thursday, to help those evacuating their homes due to Hurricane Matthew.
The tool connects displaced residents with Airbnb hosts who can offer urgent accommodations, free of charge.
According to a statement the company released Thursday, this is the first time Airbnb has activated the tool before a disaster.
The service will be in effect through October 11.
“This is the first major hurricane threat that this area has seen in a few years, and we are hopeful that Airbnb can help play a small part in making the evacuation process easier for residents and their families,” Airbnb spokesperson Nick Shapiro said in a statement.
UPDATE: We are expanding our Disaster Response Tool activation for #HurricaneMatthew to cover parts of FL and SC
![]()
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 9:17 p.m., Oct. 6
Carl Court / Getty Images
Airbnb activated its disaster response tool on Thursday, to help those evacuating their homes due to Hurricane Matthew.
The tool connects displaced residents with Airbnb hosts who can offer urgent accommodations, free of charge.
According to a statement the company released Thursday, this is the first time Airbnb has activated the tool before a disaster.
The service will be in effect through October 11.
“This is the first major hurricane threat that this area has seen in a few years, and we are hopeful that Airbnb can help play a small part in making the evacuation process easier for residents and their families,” Airbnb spokesperson Nick Shapiro said in a statement.
UPDATE: We are expanding our Disaster Response Tool activation for #HurricaneMatthew to cover parts of FL and SC
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 9:17 p.m., Oct. 6
Georgia governor orders mandatory evacuation of coast
Gov. Nathan Deal has ordered a mandatory evacuation along the coast of Georgia, according to the AP.
The evacuation, which includes Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden counties, will affect more than 500,000 people.
Deal said powerful winds and heavy rain could reach Georgia late Thursday.
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 9:00 p.m., Oct. 6
Gov. Nathan Deal has ordered a mandatory evacuation along the coast of Georgia, according to the AP.
The evacuation, which includes Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden counties, will affect more than 500,000 people.
Deal said powerful winds and heavy rain could reach Georgia late Thursday.
—Mary Ann Georgantopoulos
Posted at 9:00 p.m., Oct. 6
National Hurricane Center: Evacuations should apply to inland areas, too
The National Hurricane Center said in a Thursday morning memo that evacuations ahead of Hurricane Matthew should not be considered a coastal event, and that strong winds are expected in inland areas as well.
“Matthew is likely to produce devastating impacts from storm surge, extreme winds, and heavy rains in the northwestern Bahamas today, and alone extensive portions of the east coast of Florida tonight,” the center’s announcement read.
Manatee County, which is located just south of Tampa and also includes a sizable inland area, also announced this morning that officials had declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Matthew was upgraded back to a Category 4 storm.
As a result, Manatee District schools will be closed Friday.
The National Hurricane Center said in a Thursday morning memo that evacuations ahead of Hurricane Matthew should not be considered a coastal event, and that strong winds are expected in inland areas as well.
“Matthew is likely to produce devastating impacts from storm surge, extreme winds, and heavy rains in the northwestern Bahamas today, and alone extensive portions of the east coast of Florida tonight,” the center’s announcement read.
Manatee County, which is located just south of Tampa and also includes a sizable inland area, also announced this morning that officials had declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Matthew was upgraded back to a Category 4 storm.
As a result, Manatee District schools will be closed Friday.
About SudheerKarumooru
0 comments:
Post a Comment