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Hurricane Matthew: Florida still has 'a long way to go' as storm arrives – live Hurricane Matthew: Florida still has 'a long way to go' as storm arrives – live
(35 minutes later)
3.16pm BST
15:16
Some incredible videos show just how powerful Hurricane Matthew’s storm surge can be.
For a sense of scale, take a look at the lamp post in the right, the base of which is completely underwater.
WOW! Look at the storm surge, waves & wind in Daytona Beach. @hbwx @TenaciousTopper @AllysonRaeWx #Matthew https://t.co/KZOZPlgHt5 pic.twitter.com/Tjmv76sSl6
2.54pm BST
14:54
Florida Governor Rick Scott mentioned another important piece of information about Lake Okeechobee in his update: that the US Army Corps of Engineers are assessing potential damage.
The lake was already the subject of a local emergency earlier this year, when the Army Corps released water from the lake to avoid damaging notoriously old levees.
“I’m worried about the dike,” said Guadalupe Duran told USA Today on Thursday. Her home is a mile away from the lake. “It could flood everything.”
2.35pm BST2.35pm BST
14:3514:35
Florida Governor Rick Scott just updated the nation on Hurricane Matthew’s impacts so far. Here are the highlights:Florida Governor Rick Scott just updated the nation on Hurricane Matthew’s impacts so far. Here are the highlights:
“We’re only halfway through, we’re going to have more outages,” said Scott. “Power saves lives. We want everybody to get their power back as soon as possible.”“We’re only halfway through, we’re going to have more outages,” said Scott. “Power saves lives. We want everybody to get their power back as soon as possible.”
2.15pm BST2.15pm BST
14:1514:15
We just received an update from the National Hurricane Center.We just received an update from the National Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Matthew now has sustained winds at 121 mph with gusts up to 150mph.Hurricane Matthew now has sustained winds at 121 mph with gusts up to 150mph.
It is important to remember that while hurricanes are categorized based on wind speeds, storm surges are the biggest threat to human life during a hurricane.It is important to remember that while hurricanes are categorized based on wind speeds, storm surges are the biggest threat to human life during a hurricane.
2.01pm BST2.01pm BST
14:0114:01
We are waiting for Dr. Rick Knabb, director of the National Hurricane Center, to update us on Hurricane Matthew’s projected path.We are waiting for Dr. Rick Knabb, director of the National Hurricane Center, to update us on Hurricane Matthew’s projected path.
Meanwhile, more than 470 people are now believed dead in Haiti.Meanwhile, more than 470 people are now believed dead in Haiti.
The number of people killed in Haiti by the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew rose to at least 478 on Friday as rescue workers and aid agencies battled to reach remote areas of the country, assess the damage and deliver relief.The number of people killed in Haiti by the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew rose to at least 478 on Friday as rescue workers and aid agencies battled to reach remote areas of the country, assess the damage and deliver relief.
The hurricane, which hit Haiti on Tuesday, brought 145mph winds and torrential rains that destroyed more than 3,200 homes, displaced 15,000 people, ruined plantations and drowned animals. The toll leapt on Thursday night as receding waters revealed more bodies.The hurricane, which hit Haiti on Tuesday, brought 145mph winds and torrential rains that destroyed more than 3,200 homes, displaced 15,000 people, ruined plantations and drowned animals. The toll leapt on Thursday night as receding waters revealed more bodies.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimates that more than one million Haitians have been affected, with hundreds of thousands of people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. It has launched an appeal for £5.8m to help provide medical relief, shelter, water and sanitation over the next year.”The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimates that more than one million Haitians have been affected, with hundreds of thousands of people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. It has launched an appeal for £5.8m to help provide medical relief, shelter, water and sanitation over the next year.”
1.44pm BST1.44pm BST
13:4413:44
Newspaper reports first storm-associated death in USNewspaper reports first storm-associated death in US
The Vero Beach Press Journal has reported the first death in the United States associated with Hurricane Matthew.The Vero Beach Press Journal has reported the first death in the United States associated with Hurricane Matthew.
According to the newspaper, a 58-year-old woman Florida died of a heart attack after St. Lucie County suspended emergency services.According to the newspaper, a 58-year-old woman Florida died of a heart attack after St. Lucie County suspended emergency services.
The Guardian is working to confirm this death.The Guardian is working to confirm this death.
In Haiti, 330 people are believed dead as a result of the storm.In Haiti, 330 people are believed dead as a result of the storm.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.45pm BSTat 1.45pm BST
1.32pm BST1.32pm BST
13:3213:32
We expect an update from the director of the National Hurricane Center within 20 minutes, via Periscope.We expect an update from the director of the National Hurricane Center within 20 minutes, via Periscope.
This morning, Dr. Rick Knabb again warned Florida residents in Matthew’s path to leave if they still can.This morning, Dr. Rick Knabb again warned Florida residents in Matthew’s path to leave if they still can.
“Part of the history of the hurricane might be how many people die,” Knabb told CNN.“Part of the history of the hurricane might be how many people die,” Knabb told CNN.
Join @NHCDirector Dr. Rick Knabb live on Periscope at 8:50 a.m. EDT this morning for the latest on #Matthew https://t.co/DoS8b35IpM pic.twitter.com/9TZChcOWpiJoin @NHCDirector Dr. Rick Knabb live on Periscope at 8:50 a.m. EDT this morning for the latest on #Matthew https://t.co/DoS8b35IpM pic.twitter.com/9TZChcOWpi
1.18pm BST1.18pm BST
13:1813:18
In Hurricane Matthew’s wake is Martin County, Florida, immediately south of Port St. Lucie along the state’s Treasure Coast.In Hurricane Matthew’s wake is Martin County, Florida, immediately south of Port St. Lucie along the state’s Treasure Coast.
Officials there are just beginning to assess the damage wrought by Matthew. Again, this flooding and wind damage happened without the eye of the storm ever making landfall.Officials there are just beginning to assess the damage wrought by Matthew. Again, this flooding and wind damage happened without the eye of the storm ever making landfall.
Our first look at #matthew damage: debris, flooded roads, erosion and downed power lines @ MacArthur Blvd. pic.twitter.com/HHbXRQvAmCOur first look at #matthew damage: debris, flooded roads, erosion and downed power lines @ MacArthur Blvd. pic.twitter.com/HHbXRQvAmC
12.58pm BST12.58pm BST
12:5812:58
This video is a good reminder of why local officials want people who stayed through the hurricane to remain indoors, even after winds calm down.This video is a good reminder of why local officials want people who stayed through the hurricane to remain indoors, even after winds calm down.
Dramatic video shows power lines exploding in Merritt Island, Florida as Hurricane Matthew churns up the coast. https://t.co/944xgkHFtZ pic.twitter.com/WrFPk1EiVvDramatic video shows power lines exploding in Merritt Island, Florida as Hurricane Matthew churns up the coast. https://t.co/944xgkHFtZ pic.twitter.com/WrFPk1EiVv
Downed power lines could electrify standing water, a major danger for anyone who chose not to heed warnings to evacuate.Downed power lines could electrify standing water, a major danger for anyone who chose not to heed warnings to evacuate.
“The fact of the matter is we already have a couple thousand people that stayed, and those people need to stay where they are,” Cocoa Beach mayor Tim Tumulty told CNN.“The fact of the matter is we already have a couple thousand people that stayed, and those people need to stay where they are,” Cocoa Beach mayor Tim Tumulty told CNN.
12.46pm BST12.46pm BST
12:4612:46
Florida governor: still 'a long way to go'Florida governor: still 'a long way to go'
Florida Governor Rick Scott updated the nation on Hurricane Matthew’s path along Florida’s coast, Friday morning on CBS This Morning.Florida Governor Rick Scott updated the nation on Hurricane Matthew’s path along Florida’s coast, Friday morning on CBS This Morning.
Scott said as of 7:15am ET the hurricane remained, “a little bit off our coast which is a blessing.”Scott said as of 7:15am ET the hurricane remained, “a little bit off our coast which is a blessing.”
“We’re going to see up to 12 ft in the Jacksonville area,” Scott said, referring to storm surge in the northern, coastal city. “We still have a long way to go. We have this all day today.”“We’re going to see up to 12 ft in the Jacksonville area,” Scott said, referring to storm surge in the northern, coastal city. “We still have a long way to go. We have this all day today.”
Scott said about 40,000 Floridians were without power as Matthew cruised up the coast toward Daytona Beach, the well-known tourist destination.Scott said about 40,000 Floridians were without power as Matthew cruised up the coast toward Daytona Beach, the well-known tourist destination.
Mathew is expected to ride the Florida-Georgia coast heading northward through Friday, arriving at the southern coast of South Carolina at 2am Saturday, according to the latest predictions from the National Hurricane Center.Mathew is expected to ride the Florida-Georgia coast heading northward through Friday, arriving at the southern coast of South Carolina at 2am Saturday, according to the latest predictions from the National Hurricane Center.
12.27pm BST
12:27
Tampa expects to avoid the worst of the storm as Hurricane Matthew shifts eastward, the National Weather Service reports.
.@NWSTampaBay gave us an update. Due to Matthew shifting to east, wind should not be very significant @CityofTampa. Should be done by 11am. pic.twitter.com/GoKa9CnRuJ
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.
Updated
at 12.24pm BST
11.48am BST
11:48
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! #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.”
Updated
at 12.00pm BST
11.41am BST
11:41
Cape Canaveral is currently bearing the brunt of Hurricane Matthew:
Cape Canaveral, FL outer eyewall Hurricane #Matthew @TheWeatherNetUS @StormhunterTWN @georgekourounis pic.twitter.com/W2a4WgHEhD
11.39am BST
11:39
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.”
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. #HurricaneMathew
Updated
at 11.59am BST
11.33am BST
11:33
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/qrndURs8bf
11.08am BST
11:08
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.
Updated
at 11.12am BST
10.53am BST
10:53
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.
10.45am BST
10:45
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
10.41am BST
10:41
Extreme Wind Warning for Port Canaveral and Cape Canaveral; take cover inside most interior room, stay away from doors/windows! #alert https://t.co/TqqHMxaHDT