HURRICANE MATTHEW UPDATE: Brevard Zoo, Treetop Trek Will Close Tomorrow, Friday

Brevard continues to be under hurricane warning

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – For the safety of their guests, staff and animals, Brevard Zoo and Treetop Trek will be closed tomorrow and Friday.

“We currently plan to reopen on Saturday, although this may change depending on the aftermath of the storm,” said Elliot Zirulnik, Communications Manager of Brevard Zoo.

Hurricane Matthew’s latest max sustained wind latest reading from the National Hurricane Center was recorded at 115 mph, and Brevard County continues to be under a hurricane warning.

The National Hurricane Center reported at 8 a.m. Wednesday that the precise track of Matthew, which is currently forecasted to pass 50-75 miles offshore of Brevard County late Thursday night, into early Friday morning, will determine how far inland the rain and wind effects will be felt.

The Brevard County Emergency Operations Center is now in Level 1 Full Activation mode.

Matthew had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was moving north-northwest at 10 mph. It was 115 miles south of Long Island in the Bahamas, where hurricane conditions are expected throughout the day and night. Strong winds and heavy rains are spreading over the Bahamas.

Projections from the hurricane experts say conditions on the Space Coast will be felt by late Thursday evening, with tropical storm conditions possible by early Thursday.

The eye of storm is projected to skirt the Brevard County coast on Friday with tropical storm force winds impacting inland as rain will wraps the storm with wind-driven downpours and flooding.

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Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Desmond Blackburn announced that all BPS schools will be closed both Thursday and Friday, October 6 – 7, due to inclement weather and all associated activities are cancelled through the weekend.

School will remain open today, Wednesday, October 5, which is a regularly scheduled early release day.

Mandatory evacuations will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday for Brevard County residents living on the barrier islands, including Merritt Island, low-lying flood-prone area and in mobile or manufactured homes.

Shelters will also open beginning at 4 p.m. at sites yet to be confirmed. Those locations will be announced early Wednesday.

Brevard County schools, government offices and courthouse will close Thursday and Friday.

Brevard County Emergency Management also announced Tuesday these actions are being  taken in response to Hurricane Matthew:

• The Brevard County Emergency Operations Center in Rockledge will be at Level 1 Full Activation beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday. That means all essential personnel and agencies involved in response to pre-storm preparations and impacts from Hurricane Matthew will be activated and on duty.

• Eastern Florida State College also announced on Tuesday that campuses are closed Thursday through the weekend.

• Cape Canaveral Hospital has begun moving patients Tuesday to Holmes Regional and Viera Hospital. Gates to Cape Canaveral Hospital will be closed at 9 a.m. Wednesday to new patients. Surgeries for later in the week will be rescheduled. Health Centers are closed Wednesday through the week. To find the location of a patient, call 321-434-7000.

• All cruise ships and tankers have found safe harbor and will not be conducting operations out of Port Canaveral. Victory Casino cruiseline will seek safe harbor elsewhere. Marinas along the port have also been closed.

The next advisory is at 8 a.m.

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