HURRICANE MATTHEW UPDATE: Storm Continues To Track Parallel To Brevard, Warning in Effect

At 5 a.m., Matthew was 65 miles from cuba

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Hurricane Matthew’s latest max sustained wind latest reading from the National Hurricane Center was recorded at 125 mph, and Brevard County continues to be under a hurricane watch.

The precise track of Matthew, which is currently forecasted to parallel the east coast of Florida, will determine how far inland the rain and wind effects will be felt.

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.

Volusia, Brevard, Seminole, Orange and Osceola are included in the Hurricane Warning, and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Sumter and southern Lake counties.

As of the 5 a.m., Matthew was about 65 miles north-northwest of the eastern tip of Cuba.

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Tropical storm force winds extend for 175 miles from the center and Matthew remains a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Matthew continues moving toward the north near 8 mph and is expected to continue to move through the evening.

A turn toward the north-northwest is expected on Wednesday, followed by a northwest turn Wednesday night.

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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