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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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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Any Florida Treeper who finds themselves in need of help, please feel free to use the comment section and we’ll work earnestly to assist. Prayers for all.

At 200 PM EDT (1800 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 25.7 North, longitude 78.4 West. The hurricane is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue today with a turn toward the north-northwest tonight or early Friday. On the forecast track, the eye of Matthew should be near or over Freeport in the Bahamas in the next few hours, and move close to or over the east coast of the Florida peninsula through Friday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Matthew is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is possible, and Matthew should remain a Category 4 hurricane while it approaches the Florida coast. (more…)

Most tolls are now suspended as the Eastern Florida coastal counties along I-95 begin evacuating Westward.  Authorities anticipate 5 to 10 million people leaving the evacuation zone. Here’s the full press conference from Florida Governor Rick Scott:

• The National Guard has been activated with 6,000 on standby.
• Prolonged power outages are to be expected. Perhaps the worst in history.
• There are 7,000 power line workers on alert.
• Tolls are suspended. All roadwork and road projects halted.
• No fuel shortages as of this afternoon other than sporadic stations.
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At 200 AM EDT (0600 UTC), radar data from Guantanamo, Cuba, along with reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft, indicate that the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 20.7 North, longitude 74.4 West. Matthew is moving toward the north near 8 mph (13 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue overnight.

A turn toward the north-northwest is expected today, followed by a northwest turn Wednesday night. Matthew will be moving across the Bahamas through Thursday, and is expected to be very near the east coast of Florida by Thursday evening. (more…)

West Palm Beach and East Coast of FL SEE HERE Please be proactive

At 500 AM EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 17.8 North, longitude 74.4 West. Matthew is moving toward the north near 9 mph (15 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue today.

A turn toward the north-northwest is expected by Wednesday, followed by a northwest turn Wednesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will pass near or over southwestern Haiti during the next few hours, move near eastern Cuba later today, and move near or over portions of the southeastern and central Bahamas tonight and Wednesday, and approach the northwestern Bahamas Wednesday night. (more…)

Hurricane Matthew is massive in scale and extremely powerful.  The forecast track of Hurricane Matthew has now shifted slightly Westward. This means it is forecast to come even closer to the state of Florida and the East coast.   Any further Westward shifts have the potential to be catastrophic.   EVERYONE MUST BE ALERT.
Once this storm exits Hispaniola, there will be little time left for preparation in the  Bahamas, and in the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys.  Keep a close eye.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has issued EXECUTIVE ORDER #16-230 A state of emergency for every county in Florida effective immediately.   Every resident is urged to take immediate action to secure, at minimum, a 3 day supply of water, food and medicine.  Visit FloridaDisaster.Org for more preparatory information and assistance; also FLGetaPlan.Com
Additionally, all residents in the path of the potential storm are requested to notify their friends or family of their specific action plans.   The 5:00pm advisory from the National Hurricane Center is AVAILABLE HERE.  (more…)

Hurricane Matthew is massive and dangerous.  Overnight it briefly upgraded to a Cat5 status (160 MPH winds), and now remains as a very strong Cat4 (150 MPH winds).  With the potential path having a great deal of uncertainty, Florida Governor Rick Scott is warning everyone to pay attention – things could change quickly and impact Wednesday.
The East Cost of the U.S. also needs to pay attention because this could be on/near the East coast by next Friday.

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UPDATE:  1:20am Landfall just south of St. Marks.  Also, Tallahassee getting pounded.

As anticipated Hurricane Hermine has strengthened a bit (now 80mph) as it closes in on the Florida bend.  Anticipated to skirt Apalachicola and move inland through the bend toward Tallahassee.  The storm surge is the immediate cause for concern in the coastal areas, however the inland effects can be secondarily problematic.

 

This potential impact zone was spared from the horrific 2004 season (Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne), and 2005 (Wilma); which means the trees (mostly oaks) are decades without severe storm impact.  For Tallahassee, and surrounding areas, the wind damage could be considerable and power outages are almost guaranteed. (more…)

Hurricane Hermine appears headed to the big bend area of northern Florida. We have a lot of Treepers in the impact path of this storm from Hillsborough county, FL North.  A rather large storm surge is anticipated as Hermine heads in from the Northern Gulf.

Please stay safe.  Unfortunately landfall is anticipated overnight, and it’s always the late night/early morning storms that are the most disconcerting for those riding out the storm. At this stage the storm appears a weak category 1.  However, prior storms of this significance have tightened and increased in intensity shortly before landfall.

If any CTH member finds themselves in need of any assistance please reach out through the comments section or via email.  Prayers for all.

Miami (AFP) – Tropical Storm Hermine strengthened into a hurricane Thursday as it continued churning on a path toward Florida, US forecasters said. (more…)