Largest evacuation since Sandy is underway as Hurricane Matthew is expected to strengthen to a Cat 4 before setting eyes on Florida tonight,
Matthew Expected to be Cat 4
At 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located
near latitude 24.6 North, longitude 77.5 West. Matthew is moving
toward the northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this general motion
is expected to continue today. A turn toward the north-northwest is
expected tonight. On the forecast track, the eye of Matthew should
pass near Andros Island and New Providence in the northwestern
Bahamas during the next few hours, pass near Grand Bahama
Island late today, and move very close to the east coast of the
Florida peninsula tonight through Friday night.
Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate
that the maximum sustained winds remain near 125 mph (205 km/h) with
higher gusts. Matthew is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-
Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional strengthening is expected
today, and Matthew is forecast to be a category 4 hurricane as it
approaches the east coast of Florida.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160
miles (260 km). Nassau in the Bahamas recently reported sustained
winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) with a wind gust of 61 mph (98 km/h).
The latest minimum central pressure estimated by a reconnaissance
aircraft was 940 mb (27.76 inches).
Expected Effects Of Matthew
- WIND : Tropical Storm conditions are expected to be felt in Florida by later this morning. Hurricane conditions by this evening. Georgia and South Carolina should feel full effects by Saturday morning. Winds in excess of 130 mph are expected.
- STORM SURGE : Storm surge of 6-9 feet could be seen in some areas of Florida.
- FLOODING: 4-8 inches of rain are projected anywhere from Florida to South Carolina. Isolated amounts to 12 inches can be expected.
