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Hurricane Matthew: 'monster' storm hits Florida after hundreds killed in Haiti – live Hurricane Matthew: 'monster' storm hits Florida after hundreds killed in Haiti – live
(35 minutes later)
12.15pm BST
12:15
Here's the state of play at 7am EDT
As the east coast wakes up, Hurricane Matthew is moving north along the Florida coast, battering Cape Canaveral with wind speeds of up to 107mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Brevard County and Volusia County are also heavily affected, and Daytona Beach is seeing increasingly fierce conditions.
Curfews are in place in several coastal districts, including Seminola County, and local news channels are broadcasting footage of near-deserted interstate roads.
Conditions are expected to worsen as the day wears on. Meteorologists are also predicting significant tidal storm surges on the coasts. Inland areas including Orlando are starting to feel the hurricane’s effects, with heavy rain and tropical storm conditions.
Georgia and South Carolina are bracing for the storm to move northwards. South Florida appears likely to escape the worst of Hurricane Matthew, with several areas seeing their storm warnings downgraded.
I’m handing over to colleagues in the US now. If you’re experiencing the storm, please do share your experiences with us if it’s safe to do so – and take care.
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The pleas for people to evacuate continue. Here’s the director of the National Hurricane Center:The pleas for people to evacuate continue. Here’s the director of the National Hurricane Center:
If you have been told by local officials to evacuate and that there is still time to leave, go now! Your life could depend on it! #MatthewIf you have been told by local officials to evacuate and that there is still time to leave, go now! Your life could depend on it! #Matthew
But last night there were reports that some were resisting the orders. Florida Today reports on some of the holdouts, including a group of nine adults, five children and various pets who have transformed an event room in the centre of Melbourne into a makeshift storm shelter:
“We have a ton of supplies: lots of food, lots of water, ice,” said Tracy Melhado, co-owner. “All kinds of activities for the kids. So we are well-equipped to be here for a little while if we have to — hopefully not.”
Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel reports on people refusing to leave their homes in Brevard and Cape Canaveral, which are currently bearing the brunt of the storm.
“This one does scare me,” says Kevin Draddy, who planned to ride out the storm in his trailer home. “You gotta have faith. I know it’s a monster.”
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Cape Canaveral is currently bearing the brunt of Hurricane Matthew:Cape Canaveral is currently bearing the brunt of Hurricane Matthew:
Cape Canaveral, FL outer eyewall Hurricane #Matthew @TheWeatherNetUS @StormhunterTWN @georgekourounis pic.twitter.com/W2a4WgHEhDCape Canaveral, FL outer eyewall Hurricane #Matthew @TheWeatherNetUS @StormhunterTWN @georgekourounis pic.twitter.com/W2a4WgHEhD
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More than a million people have been ordered to leave their homes in Florida, with many hunkering down in shelters set up in school gyms and other public buildings. The Orlando Sentinel has been touring some of these shelters as the storm kicks in. More than 1 million people have been ordered to leave their homes in Florida, and many have been hunkering down in shelters set up in school gyms and other public buildings. The Orlando Sentinel has been touring some of these shelters as the storm kicks in.
“The second and the third days are worse,” said David Vernaza, shelter co-manager for American Red Cross disaster services. “It’s no longer an adventure. They get antsy.”“The second and the third days are worse,” said David Vernaza, shelter co-manager for American Red Cross disaster services. “It’s no longer an adventure. They get antsy.”
And it’s not only people seeking refuge:And it’s not only people seeking refuge:
More than 400 pets are in the Brevard County evacuation shelters, including dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and lizards. #HurricaneMathewMore than 400 pets are in the Brevard County evacuation shelters, including dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and lizards. #HurricaneMathew
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The 5am Fri prototype storm surge watch/warning area extends from Fla. to N. Carolina. #Matthew @NOAA @NHCDirector https://t.co/R5OOOwDjqL pic.twitter.com/qrndURs8bfThe 5am Fri prototype storm surge watch/warning area extends from Fla. to N. Carolina. #Matthew @NOAA @NHCDirector https://t.co/R5OOOwDjqL pic.twitter.com/qrndURs8bf
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Hurricane Matthew’s outer eyewall – the area where the storm is strongest – is “brushing” Cape Canaveral, the National Hurricane Center reports in its latest bulletin. A 100mph gust has been recorded there. And as daylight arrives the storm is expected to pick up force.Hurricane Matthew’s outer eyewall – the area where the storm is strongest – is “brushing” Cape Canaveral, the National Hurricane Center reports in its latest bulletin. A 100mph gust has been recorded there. And as daylight arrives the storm is expected to pick up force.
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Almost all flights in and out of Orlando today are cancelled and other Florida airports are facing severe disruption and cancellations, according to tracking site Flightaware.Almost all flights in and out of Orlando today are cancelled and other Florida airports are facing severe disruption and cancellations, according to tracking site Flightaware.
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NBC meteorologist Alicia Roman has just tweeted this map of Hurricane Matthew’s current position:NBC meteorologist Alicia Roman has just tweeted this map of Hurricane Matthew’s current position:
#HurricaneMatthew - Category 3 just E of Melbourne, FL.Winds: 120 mph Gusts to 150 Moving NNW 13 mph@NBCChicago pic.twitter.com/Mt6LfqshTY#HurricaneMatthew - Category 3 just E of Melbourne, FL.Winds: 120 mph Gusts to 150 Moving NNW 13 mph@NBCChicago pic.twitter.com/Mt6LfqshTY
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Extreme Wind Warning for Port Canaveral and Cape Canaveral; take cover inside most interior room, stay away from doors/windows! #alert https://t.co/TqqHMxaHDTExtreme Wind Warning for Port Canaveral and Cape Canaveral; take cover inside most interior room, stay away from doors/windows! #alert https://t.co/TqqHMxaHDT
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Winds are currently strongest in Brevard County, Volutia County and the Melbourne area, and local news channel WFTV Channel 9 reports 100,000 households are without power in Brevard County.Winds are currently strongest in Brevard County, Volutia County and the Melbourne area, and local news channel WFTV Channel 9 reports 100,000 households are without power in Brevard County.
It appears Florida’s southern coast is likely to escape the worst of the damage: in the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, the hurricane warning covering Jupiter Inlet to Boca Raton has been downgraded to a tropical storm warning. South of Boca Raton, a tropical storm warning has been cancelled.It appears Florida’s southern coast is likely to escape the worst of the damage: in the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, the hurricane warning covering Jupiter Inlet to Boca Raton has been downgraded to a tropical storm warning. South of Boca Raton, a tropical storm warning has been cancelled.
Hurricane Matthew is expected to reach its most violent in Florida in a few hours’ time, between 10am and 1pm EDT, local news reports – although the Weather Channel notes it will then move north.Hurricane Matthew is expected to reach its most violent in Florida in a few hours’ time, between 10am and 1pm EDT, local news reports – although the Weather Channel notes it will then move north.
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Fasten your seatbelts for stomach-churning footage from the cockpit of an NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft tracking the eye of Hurricane Matthew’s storm yesterday:Fasten your seatbelts for stomach-churning footage from the cockpit of an NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft tracking the eye of Hurricane Matthew’s storm yesterday:
Very turbulent flight today into the eye of powerful Cat 4 #HurricaneMatthew on WP-3D Orion #NOAA43. Credit: CAPT Tim Gallagher/NOAA pic.twitter.com/8VJpKzs3mnVery turbulent flight today into the eye of powerful Cat 4 #HurricaneMatthew on WP-3D Orion #NOAA43. Credit: CAPT Tim Gallagher/NOAA pic.twitter.com/8VJpKzs3mn
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Drone footage from Haiti shows the devastation Hurricane Matthew caused there. At least 300 people have been killed by the storm, which hit Haiti on Tuesday.Drone footage from Haiti shows the devastation Hurricane Matthew caused there. At least 300 people have been killed by the storm, which hit Haiti on Tuesday.
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Video shown on Florida channel WFTV Channel 9 (on Facebook Live here) shows shop awnings and other debris being whipped around in the wind in Melbourne, and electricity transformers exploding in Rockledge.Video shown on Florida channel WFTV Channel 9 (on Facebook Live here) shows shop awnings and other debris being whipped around in the wind in Melbourne, and electricity transformers exploding in Rockledge.
Meanwhile 66,000 homes are without power in Brevard County. “If you still have power in Brevard County, most likely it’s going to go out,” a presenter says.Meanwhile 66,000 homes are without power in Brevard County. “If you still have power in Brevard County, most likely it’s going to go out,” a presenter says.
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at 9.59am BSTat 9.59am BST
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The Florida governor Rick Scott, who urged residents to evacuate their homes last night, says Hurricane Matthew is now very close to landfall.The Florida governor Rick Scott, who urged residents to evacuate their homes last night, says Hurricane Matthew is now very close to landfall.
The eyewall of Hurricane #Matthew is now within 5 miles of the Central Florida coast and extremely close to land. Stay aware.The eyewall of Hurricane #Matthew is now within 5 miles of the Central Florida coast and extremely close to land. Stay aware.
At a press conference yesterday, Scott called the storm a “monster” and warned: “This is going to kill people.”At a press conference yesterday, Scott called the storm a “monster” and warned: “This is going to kill people.”
He refused a request from Hillary Clinton’s campaign team to extend a voter registration deadline due to the storm. “Everybody’s had a lot of time to register,” he said. “On top of that, we have lots of opportunities to vote, early voting and absentee voting, so I don’t intend to make any changes.”He refused a request from Hillary Clinton’s campaign team to extend a voter registration deadline due to the storm. “Everybody’s had a lot of time to register,” he said. “On top of that, we have lots of opportunities to vote, early voting and absentee voting, so I don’t intend to make any changes.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.58am BSTat 9.58am BST
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The Weather Channel reports that severe storm surges are expected, and they could be deadly.The Weather Channel reports that severe storm surges are expected, and they could be deadly.
And here’s a sobering reminder from 5News meteorologist Garrett Lewis:And here’s a sobering reminder from 5News meteorologist Garrett Lewis:
Technically #HurricaneMatthew did weaken. But surge & winds are two separate things. Katrina was "only" a Category 3 storm at landfall.Technically #HurricaneMatthew did weaken. But surge & winds are two separate things. Katrina was "only" a Category 3 storm at landfall.
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The National Hurricane Center’s 4am EDT update reports that Hurricane Matthew’s western eyewall – the section where winds are strongest, just outside the eye – is approaching Cape Canaveral, with sustained winds of 46mph and gusts of up to 70mph recorded in Melbourne, Florida.The National Hurricane Center’s 4am EDT update reports that Hurricane Matthew’s western eyewall – the section where winds are strongest, just outside the eye – is approaching Cape Canaveral, with sustained winds of 46mph and gusts of up to 70mph recorded in Melbourne, Florida.
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First hurricane wind reported in #CapeCanaveral. Conditions are quickly deteriorating northward. #Matthew pic.twitter.com/tNxGhGaO1bFirst hurricane wind reported in #CapeCanaveral. Conditions are quickly deteriorating northward. #Matthew pic.twitter.com/tNxGhGaO1b
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Here’s a live feed of the scene at Cocoa Beach as the storm intensifies:Here’s a live feed of the scene at Cocoa Beach as the storm intensifies:
It’s also worth following the Florida news channel WFTV, which is livestreaming reporters braving the elements up and down the coast.It’s also worth following the Florida news channel WFTV, which is livestreaming reporters braving the elements up and down the coast.
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Good morning, this is Alice Ross taking on the liveblog from London, where we’ll be following Matthew’s progress as it nears the Florida coast.Good morning, this is Alice Ross taking on the liveblog from London, where we’ll be following Matthew’s progress as it nears the Florida coast.
The National Hurricane Center has graded Hurricane Matthew as a category 3 hurricane. According to the Saffir-Simpson grading system, this means the damage is now expected to be “devastating”. In a category 3 hurricane, winds of up to 129mph are expected, homes are likely to be damaged, and trees will be uprooted, blocking roads. Power and water outages are also likely and could last “several days to weeks after the storm passes”.The National Hurricane Center has graded Hurricane Matthew as a category 3 hurricane. According to the Saffir-Simpson grading system, this means the damage is now expected to be “devastating”. In a category 3 hurricane, winds of up to 129mph are expected, homes are likely to be damaged, and trees will be uprooted, blocking roads. Power and water outages are also likely and could last “several days to weeks after the storm passes”.
Pretty much the only comfort to be had is the fact that Matthew is no longer expected to be a category 4 hurricane – these are classed as causing “catastrophic” damage, with roofs ripped off houses and walls blown down in winds of up to 156mph, leaving residential areas cut off by fallen trees and power poles, and the area “uninhabitable for weeks or months”.Pretty much the only comfort to be had is the fact that Matthew is no longer expected to be a category 4 hurricane – these are classed as causing “catastrophic” damage, with roofs ripped off houses and walls blown down in winds of up to 156mph, leaving residential areas cut off by fallen trees and power poles, and the area “uninhabitable for weeks or months”.
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