Our apologies in advance for shutting down comments on previous threads. It becomes necessary to ensure we have thoroughly reviewed anyone who might be reaching out for assistance.
Need(s): If there is anyone in/around the Waynesville Georgia area who can check on (not necessarily physically), and provide reassurance to a person in the area – we have a need. Please email an out-of state relative directly at [ [email protected] ] with any assistance. Thanks.
Nighttime always makes storms seem more looming or dangerous. Currently (8:30pm) the eye of Matthew is approximately 75 miles due East of West Palm Beach Florida, moving North West at 13mph. The eye is moving over Freeport Grand Bahama. The outer bands already battering the FL coastline, but the worst winds still off shore. Let us hope this storm stays off shore as long as possible….
At 800 PM EDT (0000 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located over the western end of Grand Bahama Island near latitude 26.6 North, longitude 78.9 West. The hurricane is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue tonight with a turn toward the north-northwest early Friday.
On the forecast track, the eye of Matthew should move away from Grand Bahama Island during the next few hours, and move close to or over the east coast of the Florida peninsula through Friday night.
Reports from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are now near 130 mph (210 km/h) with higher gusts. Matthew is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely while the hurricane moves toward the coast of Florida.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km). Settlement Point in the Bahamas recently reported a sustained wind of 79 mph (128 km/h) with a gust of 105 mph (169 km/hr). The Lake Worth Pier near Palm Beach, Florida, recently reported a sustained wind of 46 mph (74 km/h) and a wind gust of 60 mph (96 km/h).
The minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA Hurricane Hunter data is 939 mb (27.73 inches). (read more)
If you have to shelter in place for #HurricaneMatthew:
📢 Listen to local officials
📱 Let family know you're okay
🔋 Charge your devices
— FEMA (@fema) October 6, 2016