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Hurricane Matthew: storm weakens but continues to lash Florida and Georgia – live Hurricane Matthew: storm weakens but continues to lash Florida and Georgia – live
(35 minutes later)
1.51am BST
01:51
It’s looking like Florida may have escaped the fiercest winds of Hurricane Matthew, and the storm is just about leaving the state now - its center is off the coast of Georgia, heading slowly north towards Savannah.
Hold On Florida-- Hurricane Matthew is about to exit your state. Moving so slow at 12 mph! pic.twitter.com/O9TR09yqgx
There is serious concern that the surge of water being pushed by the storm - as much as 10 feet - is going to hit parts of South Carolina at high tide. That’s a big problem.
The Weather Channel’s Adam Dean explains why in a bit more detail:
Why I'm REALLY concerned about Georgia & SC coast tonight #Matthew @JimCantore @daveclark @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/58ESVKF0eN
Updated
at 1.51am BST
1.33am BST
01:33
Richard Luscombe
Hurricane Matthew, weakened but still a formidable storm, continued to pound the northern Florida coastline on Friday afternoon, renewing fears of life-threatening flooding in Jacksonville and other low-lying, heavily populated cities further north, including Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, reports Richard Luscombe from Miami.
After the category 3 storm’s punishing slow crawl up Florida’s eastern coast earlier in the day, which left more than a million residents without power, focus turned away from the strength of its wide wind field and towards the threat posed by the substantial storm surge.
The National Hurricane Center downgraded Matthew to a category 2 storm in its 5pm advisory but said that the surge, forecast to reach up to nine feet in vulnerable areas such as the St John’s river that runs through central Jacksonville, could lead to “life-threatening inundation” during the next 36 hours as far as Cape Fear, North Carolina.
NHC senior hurricane specialist Lixion Avila said that Matthew, which killed hundreds in Haiti during its earlier march through the Caribbean, still had more misery to spread. “We have been very fortunate that Matthew’s strongest winds have remained a short distance offshore of the Florida coast thus far, but this should not be a reason to let down our guard,” he said in the advisory.
“The water hazards remain, even if the core of Matthew remains offshore.”
1.19am BST1.19am BST
01:1901:19
Hurricane Matthew is now centered off the North Florida / South Georgia coast, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. It is moving north at 12mph, with sustained windspeeds of 110mph.Hurricane Matthew is now centered off the North Florida / South Georgia coast, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. It is moving north at 12mph, with sustained windspeeds of 110mph.
This incredible video shows the extent of flooding in St Augustine, Florida, which bore the brunt of the storm earlier today:This incredible video shows the extent of flooding in St Augustine, Florida, which bore the brunt of the storm earlier today:
Video shows flooding in St. Augustine, Florida, as a result of Hurricane #Matthew https://t.co/AHoKaEZNQL pic.twitter.com/DYySHptYCFVideo shows flooding in St. Augustine, Florida, as a result of Hurricane #Matthew https://t.co/AHoKaEZNQL pic.twitter.com/DYySHptYCF
And meanwhile, the wind is picking up in Charleston, South Carolina:And meanwhile, the wind is picking up in Charleston, South Carolina:
It's picking up. Here's at fresh look where I am on the Battery pic.twitter.com/PIBnTJEyCUIt's picking up. Here's at fresh look where I am on the Battery pic.twitter.com/PIBnTJEyCU
1.07am BST1.07am BST
01:0701:07
“Hurricane Matthew has further exacerbated the already severe epidemic of cholera in Haiti, as millions of people go without safe drinking water,” said Michael Posner, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and co-director of the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, in an email to the Guardian.“Hurricane Matthew has further exacerbated the already severe epidemic of cholera in Haiti, as millions of people go without safe drinking water,” said Michael Posner, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and co-director of the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, in an email to the Guardian.
Cholera did not exist in Haiti until a UN peacekeeping force contaminated public waters after yet another natural disaster, an earthquake, killed 200,000 people in 2010. Since then, almost 800,000 people have been infected with the disease, and close to 30,000 have died.Cholera did not exist in Haiti until a UN peacekeeping force contaminated public waters after yet another natural disaster, an earthquake, killed 200,000 people in 2010. Since then, almost 800,000 people have been infected with the disease, and close to 30,000 have died.
It’s time that the UN and its member states align their development and human rights agendas and come up with a viable plan to prevent further infection so the death toll from cholera ceases to escalate.It’s time that the UN and its member states align their development and human rights agendas and come up with a viable plan to prevent further infection so the death toll from cholera ceases to escalate.
12.45am BST12.45am BST
00:4500:45
Canada is pledging $300,000 in aid to Haiti for disaster relief after Hurricane Matthew killed upwards of 800 people and flattened entire communities, reports the Canadian Global News.Canada is pledging $300,000 in aid to Haiti for disaster relief after Hurricane Matthew killed upwards of 800 people and flattened entire communities, reports the Canadian Global News.
In a press release, the Canadian government said:In a press release, the Canadian government said:
On October 6, 2016, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an emergency relief operation to support the Haitian Red Cross Society in providing immediate assistance to approximately 50,000 people for twelve months. The operation will focus on meeting the health, water and sanitation, and shelter needs to those affected by the floods in the departments of Sud, Grand Anse, Nippes, Sud-est, Ouest and Nord-ouest.On October 6, 2016, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an emergency relief operation to support the Haitian Red Cross Society in providing immediate assistance to approximately 50,000 people for twelve months. The operation will focus on meeting the health, water and sanitation, and shelter needs to those affected by the floods in the departments of Sud, Grand Anse, Nippes, Sud-est, Ouest and Nord-ouest.
Canada is supporting this emergency relief operation through the Canadian Red Cross Society.Canada is supporting this emergency relief operation through the Canadian Red Cross Society.
12.23am BST12.23am BST
00:2300:23
Matthew Kelsch, a meteorologist with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, just sent the Guardian this analysis over email:Matthew Kelsch, a meteorologist with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, just sent the Guardian this analysis over email:
The storm center (and its narrow radius of extreme winds) is completely offshore. It is moving north as the nearby coastline bends to the northwest, so the storm is getting farther from the coast. The geometry changes over the next 24h (beginning Friday evening) because the coastline of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina bends back to the northeast.The storm center (and its narrow radius of extreme winds) is completely offshore. It is moving north as the nearby coastline bends to the northwest, so the storm is getting farther from the coast. The geometry changes over the next 24h (beginning Friday evening) because the coastline of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina bends back to the northeast.
Although the storm may also start bending more to the northeast, that probably won’t happen until the storm center draws nearer to the coastline. The storm may actually make a brief landfall in South Carolina on Friday as a category 1 or 2 hurricane. The storm did not make landfall in Florida which was a great relief because that kept the strongest winds just offshore.Although the storm may also start bending more to the northeast, that probably won’t happen until the storm center draws nearer to the coastline. The storm may actually make a brief landfall in South Carolina on Friday as a category 1 or 2 hurricane. The storm did not make landfall in Florida which was a great relief because that kept the strongest winds just offshore.
Although the most intense winds stayed offshore, bands of moderately strong winds and intense rains are hundreds of miles across and have produced heavy rain and large storm surges along the coast. That will continue into Georgia and the Carolinas tonight and tomorrow.Although the most intense winds stayed offshore, bands of moderately strong winds and intense rains are hundreds of miles across and have produced heavy rain and large storm surges along the coast. That will continue into Georgia and the Carolinas tonight and tomorrow.
So Georgia, South Carolina, and maybe southeastern North Carolina are likely to see some coastal flooding. River flooding triggered by intense rainfall may occur inland a couple hundred miles. There may even be a brief tornado in some of the rain bands.So Georgia, South Carolina, and maybe southeastern North Carolina are likely to see some coastal flooding. River flooding triggered by intense rainfall may occur inland a couple hundred miles. There may even be a brief tornado in some of the rain bands.
12.04am BST12.04am BST
00:0400:04
The Associated Press has released this extraordinary video, taken from the cockpit of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration flying through the eyewall and into the eye of Hurricane Matthew.The Associated Press has released this extraordinary video, taken from the cockpit of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration flying through the eyewall and into the eye of Hurricane Matthew.
11.45pm BST11.45pm BST
23:4523:45
As the storm moves north up the Atlantic seaboard away from Florida towards Georgia and South Carolina, parts of Florida are now beginning the process of assessing the damage caused.As the storm moves north up the Atlantic seaboard away from Florida towards Georgia and South Carolina, parts of Florida are now beginning the process of assessing the damage caused.
Governor Rick Scott just tweeted:Governor Rick Scott just tweeted:
Damage assessments are happening now in South Florida and Central. They will continue as the storm passes each county.Damage assessments are happening now in South Florida and Central. They will continue as the storm passes each county.
Late on Thursday and early Friday, Matthew continued to lash Volusia and Brevard counties in Florida, including the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, with torrential rain and sustained winds as the storm’s outer eyewall nudged parallel to the coast.Late on Thursday and early Friday, Matthew continued to lash Volusia and Brevard counties in Florida, including the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, with torrential rain and sustained winds as the storm’s outer eyewall nudged parallel to the coast.
Nasa reported limited roof damage from 107mph gusts, but no effect to its launchpads, which are constructed to withstand 125mph winds.Nasa reported limited roof damage from 107mph gusts, but no effect to its launchpads, which are constructed to withstand 125mph winds.
Downed power lines and fallen trees appeared to be the worst of the damage in Martin and St Lucie counties to the south.Downed power lines and fallen trees appeared to be the worst of the damage in Martin and St Lucie counties to the south.
Bill Snyder, the Martin County sheriff, said he believed his county had “dodged a bullet”, the Guardian’s Richard Luscombe writes.Bill Snyder, the Martin County sheriff, said he believed his county had “dodged a bullet”, the Guardian’s Richard Luscombe writes.
11.32pm BST11.32pm BST
23:3223:32
The American Red Cross has mobilized more than 1800 people to help with Hurricane Matthew response:The American Red Cross has mobilized more than 1800 people to help with Hurricane Matthew response:
1,800+ Red Crossers have mobilized to support evacuation shelters & #HurricaneMatthew response. Ways you can help: https://t.co/watYvIGLAh pic.twitter.com/Ys3YBYLmaG1,800+ Red Crossers have mobilized to support evacuation shelters & #HurricaneMatthew response. Ways you can help: https://t.co/watYvIGLAh pic.twitter.com/Ys3YBYLmaG
They say there is an “urgent need” for blood and platelet donations:They say there is an “urgent need” for blood and platelet donations:
In parts of the country unaffected by the storm, the Red Cross strongly urges eligible individuals to please give blood or platelets now to help ensure we have a readily available blood supply for patients in need.In parts of the country unaffected by the storm, the Red Cross strongly urges eligible individuals to please give blood or platelets now to help ensure we have a readily available blood supply for patients in need.
Even before the threat of Hurricane Matthew, there was an urgent need for donors of all blood types, especially type O. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).Even before the threat of Hurricane Matthew, there was an urgent need for donors of all blood types, especially type O. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
11.17pm BST11.17pm BST
23:1723:17
South Carolina governor Nikki Haley just gave a press conference.South Carolina governor Nikki Haley just gave a press conference.
She warned that storm surges were beginning to take effect, but said that 350,000 people had been successfully evacuated from coastal areas, and 2500 national guardsmen had been activated to deal with the storm’s effects.She warned that storm surges were beginning to take effect, but said that 350,000 people had been successfully evacuated from coastal areas, and 2500 national guardsmen had been activated to deal with the storm’s effects.
“Most counties have curfews in place, so we are asking citizens to heed the warnings of your county,” Haley said. “Really the best thing to do is hunker down, stay in a safe place, don’t try to move around, make sure you have your cellphones charged, and be prepared for flooding if you are in a low-lying area.”“Most counties have curfews in place, so we are asking citizens to heed the warnings of your county,” Haley said. “Really the best thing to do is hunker down, stay in a safe place, don’t try to move around, make sure you have your cellphones charged, and be prepared for flooding if you are in a low-lying area.”
In several counties, Haley said, the storm would hit at around midnight to 1am EST, which could be problematic because that would coincide with high tide, increasing the potential impact of storm surge.In several counties, Haley said, the storm would hit at around midnight to 1am EST, which could be problematic because that would coincide with high tide, increasing the potential impact of storm surge.
10.56pm BST10.56pm BST
22:5622:56
Waffle House - the Georgia-headquartered fast food chain which prides itself on keeping locations open even in dire conditions, has closed 25 restaurants in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, it announced in a tweet earlier today:Waffle House - the Georgia-headquartered fast food chain which prides itself on keeping locations open even in dire conditions, has closed 25 restaurants in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, it announced in a tweet earlier today:
Update - 25 restaurants closed in FL, GA & SC #MatthewUpdate - 25 restaurants closed in FL, GA & SC #Matthew
This actually has has some significance. Waffle House is so reliably open that the Federal Emergency Managemant Agency (FEMA) uses the “Waffle House Index” as an unofficial measure of calamity, Business Insider reports.This actually has has some significance. Waffle House is so reliably open that the Federal Emergency Managemant Agency (FEMA) uses the “Waffle House Index” as an unofficial measure of calamity, Business Insider reports.
Here’s the gist of it: Waffle House restaurants notoriously stay open during natural disasters. So if the diner closes during an event, that suggests it was a really bad natural disaster with devastating effects on the economy. And on the flip side, if it stays open and serving a full menu, damage was relatively limited.Here’s the gist of it: Waffle House restaurants notoriously stay open during natural disasters. So if the diner closes during an event, that suggests it was a really bad natural disaster with devastating effects on the economy. And on the flip side, if it stays open and serving a full menu, damage was relatively limited.
As a historical reference point: after 2011’s Hurricane Irene, 22 Waffle Houses lost power in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Only one wasn’t open by the Wednesday after the storm passed through — a particularly hard hit location in coastal Virginia.As a historical reference point: after 2011’s Hurricane Irene, 22 Waffle Houses lost power in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Only one wasn’t open by the Wednesday after the storm passed through — a particularly hard hit location in coastal Virginia.
“If you get [to a place where a disaster hit] and the Waffle House is closed? That’s really bad,” said FEMA administrator Craig Fugate back in 2011.“If you get [to a place where a disaster hit] and the Waffle House is closed? That’s really bad,” said FEMA administrator Craig Fugate back in 2011.
You can read the whole piece here.You can read the whole piece here.
10.38pm BST10.38pm BST
22:3822:38
US death toll rises to fourUS death toll rises to four
An elderly couple in St Lucie county who had been taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator in their home have died.An elderly couple in St Lucie county who had been taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator in their home have died.
That takes the death toll in the US from Hurricane Matthew to four.That takes the death toll in the US from Hurricane Matthew to four.
So far, four deaths can be attributed to #HurricaneMatthew -- 3 in St Luicie Co., 1 in Volusia Co.So far, four deaths can be attributed to #HurricaneMatthew -- 3 in St Luicie Co., 1 in Volusia Co.
St Lucie county tweeted the following advice:St Lucie county tweeted the following advice:
Please if you are using generators - do not use them indoors. Keep them as far away from the home as possible #HurricaneMatthewPlease if you are using generators - do not use them indoors. Keep them as far away from the home as possible #HurricaneMatthew
10.28pm BST10.28pm BST
22:2822:28
The mayor of tiny Tybee Island, Georgia, was so worried about his constituents that he was calling them personally, pleading with them to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Matthew. But the beer kept flowing at Calvin Ratterree’s bar, where about a dozen holdouts gathered for lunch, reports the Associated Press.The mayor of tiny Tybee Island, Georgia, was so worried about his constituents that he was calling them personally, pleading with them to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Matthew. But the beer kept flowing at Calvin Ratterree’s bar, where about a dozen holdouts gathered for lunch, reports the Associated Press.
“I’m worried, but we’ve got friends across the street with a third-floor condo,” said Ratteree, who owns Nickie’s 1971 bar about a block from Georgia’s largest public beach. “I’m committed. I’d rather be here with the people that support me and need me.”“I’m worried, but we’ve got friends across the street with a third-floor condo,” said Ratteree, who owns Nickie’s 1971 bar about a block from Georgia’s largest public beach. “I’m committed. I’d rather be here with the people that support me and need me.”
The 3,000 people who live on Tybee Island, 18 miles east of Savannah, were ordered to evacuate Wednesday. Most left, some of them hitting the road at the last-minute Friday as Matthew churned toward Georgia from the coast of Florida.The 3,000 people who live on Tybee Island, 18 miles east of Savannah, were ordered to evacuate Wednesday. Most left, some of them hitting the road at the last-minute Friday as Matthew churned toward Georgia from the coast of Florida.
But some insisted on riding out the storm, much to the frustration of Mayor Jason Buelterman. He personally called some of the holdouts, hoping to persuade them to move inland.But some insisted on riding out the storm, much to the frustration of Mayor Jason Buelterman. He personally called some of the holdouts, hoping to persuade them to move inland.
“This is what happens when you don’t have a hurricane for 100 years,” Buelterman said. “People get complacent. They just don’t know. Thankfully, it’s a very small minority.”“This is what happens when you don’t have a hurricane for 100 years,” Buelterman said. “People get complacent. They just don’t know. Thankfully, it’s a very small minority.”
Among those Buelterman called was Steve Todd, who was having a drink with neighbors at Ratterree’s bar. Todd made sure his wife and child and their two dogs evacuated. He said he stayed behind to guard his home and belongings, fearing he otherwise might not be able to return for a week or more.Among those Buelterman called was Steve Todd, who was having a drink with neighbors at Ratterree’s bar. Todd made sure his wife and child and their two dogs evacuated. He said he stayed behind to guard his home and belongings, fearing he otherwise might not be able to return for a week or more.
“We’re at a really safe building, probably one of the safest on Tybee,” Todd said.“We’re at a really safe building, probably one of the safest on Tybee,” Todd said.
Others weren’t taking chances.Others weren’t taking chances.
Jeff Dickey hefted a diesel-powered generator into his pickup truck Friday morning outside his waterfront home. He had hoped Matthew would take a turn away from shore, as other storms have in the past.Jeff Dickey hefted a diesel-powered generator into his pickup truck Friday morning outside his waterfront home. He had hoped Matthew would take a turn away from shore, as other storms have in the past.
“We kind of tried to wait to see if it will tilt more to the east,” Dickey said. “But it’s go time.”“We kind of tried to wait to see if it will tilt more to the east,” Dickey said. “But it’s go time.”
10.12pm BST10.12pm BST
22:1222:12
National Hurricane Center downgrades Matthew to Cat 2National Hurricane Center downgrades Matthew to Cat 2
Hurricane Matthew has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center issued just now.Hurricane Matthew has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center issued just now.
In a release, the center said that “we have been very fortunate that Matthew’s strongest winds have remained a short distance offshore of the Florida Coast thus far, but this should not be a reason to let down our guard,” adding that only a small deviation to the left of the forecast track could bring the winds onshore.In a release, the center said that “we have been very fortunate that Matthew’s strongest winds have remained a short distance offshore of the Florida Coast thus far, but this should not be a reason to let down our guard,” adding that only a small deviation to the left of the forecast track could bring the winds onshore.
The western eyewall of the storm, which contains the strongest winds, is still expected to move “over or very near” the coast of north-eastern Florida and Georgia tonight.The western eyewall of the storm, which contains the strongest winds, is still expected to move “over or very near” the coast of north-eastern Florida and Georgia tonight.
10.03pm BST10.03pm BST
22:0322:03
Some pictures of the flooding on Florida’s Atlantic coast as Hurricane Matthew slams low-lying towns with heavy rain and heavy storm-surge:Some pictures of the flooding on Florida’s Atlantic coast as Hurricane Matthew slams low-lying towns with heavy rain and heavy storm-surge:
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21:4721:47
The US Geological Survey (USGS) is working to try to work out what effect this storm could have on coastal erosion.The US Geological Survey (USGS) is working to try to work out what effect this storm could have on coastal erosion.
In a release, Hilary Stockdon, a research oceanographer with the USGS, said that “strong winds will create dangerous waves and surge over a large stretch of the coastline, leading to extensive beach and dune erosion.”In a release, Hilary Stockdon, a research oceanographer with the USGS, said that “strong winds will create dangerous waves and surge over a large stretch of the coastline, leading to extensive beach and dune erosion.”
The report continues:The report continues:
Results of the modeling indicate Hurricane Matthew could have a significant impact on the beaches and dunes of the Southeastern United States.Results of the modeling indicate Hurricane Matthew could have a significant impact on the beaches and dunes of the Southeastern United States.
As of Thursday morning, the coastal change model estimates that Florida’s large eastern coastline has an 80-percent likely chance of beach erosion from Miami to the state border.As of Thursday morning, the coastal change model estimates that Florida’s large eastern coastline has an 80-percent likely chance of beach erosion from Miami to the state border.
Georgia’s smaller coastline is estimated to have a 95-percent likely chance of beach erosion while South Carolina has an 85-percent likely chance of experiencing beach erosion across it’s coastline. Because the projections are based on storm-surge forecasts, they change each time the storm surge forecast is updated.Georgia’s smaller coastline is estimated to have a 95-percent likely chance of beach erosion while South Carolina has an 85-percent likely chance of experiencing beach erosion across it’s coastline. Because the projections are based on storm-surge forecasts, they change each time the storm surge forecast is updated.
Beach erosion is only the first level of damage a major storm can cause, the USGS said.Beach erosion is only the first level of damage a major storm can cause, the USGS said.
As waves and surge reach higher than the top of the dune, overwash occurs, often transporting large amounts of sand across coastal environments, depositing sand inland and causing significant changes to the landscape.As waves and surge reach higher than the top of the dune, overwash occurs, often transporting large amounts of sand across coastal environments, depositing sand inland and causing significant changes to the landscape.
A real-time USGS map of the coastal change hazards can be found here.A real-time USGS map of the coastal change hazards can be found here.
9.34pm BST9.34pm BST
21:3421:34
More than 1m people in Florida are now without power, the Associated Press is reporting.More than 1m people in Florida are now without power, the Associated Press is reporting.
State officials released updated totals on Friday that showed that the powerful Category 3 storm had knocked out electricity over a wide stretch of the state’s eastern coast.State officials released updated totals on Friday that showed that the powerful Category 3 storm had knocked out electricity over a wide stretch of the state’s eastern coast.
Most of the customers in Flagler and Volusia County the home to Daytona Beach were without power. Other hard hit areas include Brevard and Indian River counties.Most of the customers in Flagler and Volusia County the home to Daytona Beach were without power. Other hard hit areas include Brevard and Indian River counties.
The storm was strong enough to also cause outages in Central Florida. More than 100,000 who live in the Orlando area are without electricity.The storm was strong enough to also cause outages in Central Florida. More than 100,000 who live in the Orlando area are without electricity.
In Jacksonville Beach, currently close to the storm’s eye-wall, parts of the pier appear to have been ripped apart by the stormy seas:In Jacksonville Beach, currently close to the storm’s eye-wall, parts of the pier appear to have been ripped apart by the stormy seas:
HAPPENING NOW: Parts of Jacksonville Beach Pier have been ripped away into ocean. @wjxt4 #HurricaneMatthew pic.twitter.com/ZK3dRPgwrvHAPPENING NOW: Parts of Jacksonville Beach Pier have been ripped away into ocean. @wjxt4 #HurricaneMatthew pic.twitter.com/ZK3dRPgwrv
9.24pm BST9.24pm BST
21:2421:24
Some more granular detail on what to expect over the next day or so from the National Hurricane Center.Some more granular detail on what to expect over the next day or so from the National Hurricane Center.
Matthew is expected to change little in intensity during the next 6 to 12 hours, but it should begin to weaken at a faster pace in 24 hours.Matthew is expected to change little in intensity during the next 6 to 12 hours, but it should begin to weaken at a faster pace in 24 hours.
Matthew is reaching the northwestern edge of the subtropical ridge and encounter the mid-latitude westerlies. This flow pattern should steer the hurricane northward and then northeastward during the next 36 hours. After that time, the flow pattern is forecast to change again and a weakening Matthew should then turn southward and southwestward.Matthew is reaching the northwestern edge of the subtropical ridge and encounter the mid-latitude westerlies. This flow pattern should steer the hurricane northward and then northeastward during the next 36 hours. After that time, the flow pattern is forecast to change again and a weakening Matthew should then turn southward and southwestward.
We have been very fortunate that Matthew’s category 3 winds have remained a short distance offshore of the Florida Coast thus far, but this should not be a reason to let down our guard. Only a small deviation to the left of the forecast track could bring these winds onshore.We have been very fortunate that Matthew’s category 3 winds have remained a short distance offshore of the Florida Coast thus far, but this should not be a reason to let down our guard. Only a small deviation to the left of the forecast track could bring these winds onshore.
The key takeaways:The key takeaways:
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.25pm BSTat 9.25pm BST