First things first – Is everyone OK? If any Treeper is in need of aid or assistance please use the comment section below and we will do our earnest best to find a way to assist. Also, please make sure you reach out and touch base with any friends or family you may have in the region, just to be sure.
Thankfully, this looming storm was not as bad as it could have been. However, that perspective provides little solace if you are one of those who are trying to pick up the pieces of your life in the aftermath. If you are in that position, you are not alone. Do not be shy in reaching out for help….
As of 2 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) on Sunday, the storm was about 50 miles (80 km) east of Morehead City, North Carolina, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory. The center of the storm was set to move near or south of the North Carolina coast early on Sunday and east of the state later in the day as it weakens.
Matthew, which topped out as a ferocious Category 5 storm days before and killed at least 877 people in Haiti, has now been downgraded to Category 1.
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Made a promise to watch out for a family near central Florida without Dad home. Tree came down and blocked their house exit so me and the boys took a pre-loaded truck, tools and headed out late last night to assist.
Worked chainsaws with shop lights and generators all night to clear 3 houses, then four, then five… well, you get the picture; and make sure all is ok. All is good.
Trees cleared, stacked, everyone safe. Roofs check, all ok. Promise fulfilled.
While we worked through night, several moms, kids and a bunch of neighbors -super nice peeps- made boxes of sandwiches for relief workers etc… seemed like a party. God, how we all love this country.
Daybreak, packed up and headed to into FP&L staging area where they were waiting to hook up with line crews from Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia prepping to head north along FL, GA and SC coast. We gave the scruffs the styro-coolers of food, sandwiches, snacks and drinks to pass out along the way. More awesome people.
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At 800 PM EDT (0000 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 30.7 North, longitude 80.6 West. Matthew is moving toward the north near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue tonight. A turn toward toward the north-northeast and then to the northeast is expected on Saturday.
On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will continue to move near or over the coast of northeast Florida and Georgia through tonight, and near or over the coast of South Carolina on Saturday.
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While the responding local, city and state officials have done an outstanding job prudently communicating with the public and warning people to evacuate, some in he media seem to have lost their minds with over-the-top hurricane Matthew hyperbole.
Here’s a summary of segments showing how Fox News host Shepard Smith covered Hurricane Matthew yesterday as it approached the Florida coast.
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The Hurricane Warning has been extended northeastward to Surf City North Carolina. The Hurricane Warning from Sebastian Inlet to Cocoa Beach Florida has been changed to a Tropical Storm Warning. The Tropical Storm Warning south of Sebastian Inlet has been discontinued. The storm surge inbound into South Carolina is the largest concern. 26 Million people currently under Hurricane watch/warning.
Florida Governor Rick Scott morning debrief and presser :
FL Governor Scott has done an exceptional job in planning, communicating and preparation. Florida has been extremely fortunate so far. This could have been infinitely worse if Matthew varied only a few miles west.
At 1100 AM EDT (1500 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 29.4 North, longitude 80.5 West. Matthew is moving toward the north-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue today. (more…)
Hurricane Matthew has downgraded slightly to a Category 3 storm (120 mph) as it wobbles just off shore and threads the gulf stream needle meandering NNW at 14mph. The eye wall itself is about 70 miles off shore and the hurricane force winds extend 60 miles from center, so you can see it’s skirting the coast…. very close.
Each mile makes a big difference. Palm Bay, Melbourne and Titusville Florida are feeling the scour of the wind field now. The paramount concern is the wall of water (storm surge) being pushed by Matthew as it heads toward Jacksonville Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
UPDATE 200 AM EDT (0600 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located by NOAA Doppler weather radars and an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft near latitude 27.6 North, longitude 79.7 West.
Matthew is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h). A turn toward the north-northwest is expected later today, and a turn toward the north is expected tonight or Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will be moving near or over the east coast of the Florida peninsula through tonight, and near or over the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina on Saturday. (more…)
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. (more…)
Here’s the latest information from Florida Governor Rick Scott on Hurricane Matthew and the preparations in place. North of Brevard County still has an opportunity to evacuate.
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Alico Arena located in South Fort Myers Florida has opened as a possible shelter opportunity for East Coast residents fleeing the storm. Almost every hotel on the entire West Coast of Florida is full.
Charlotte County, FL Shelters AVAILABLE HERE
Lee County, FL Shelters AVAILABLE HERE
Collier County, FL Shelter List AVAILABLE HERE
Here’s a list of South West Florida evacuation centers that also might be an option:
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Friends, due to the scope and potential severity of Hurricane Matthew we are going to suspend traditional research and discussion threads so that we (specifically me) can focus all attention on any Tree House member who might need assistance in this storm.
Remember, no-one is ever alone. As Americans, we are always at our best when our nation is in its greatest need. We are a UNITED states.
The current forecast track puts Matthew hitting the Eastern Florida coast North of Miami and heading north along the entire coast toward Georgia and South Carolina. Even if the worst elements of the weather impact are only 15-20 miles inland (from the coast), that is an impact zone with more than 10 million people (coastal residents) within it.
Many people might not be aware that elements within the private business community (critical societal needs), and risk management, have been coordinating and planning for decades in the event such a situation might occur (continuously hoping it did not).
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