HURRICANE MATTHEW UPDATE: Storm Currently Forecasted To Pass 50 Miles Offshore of Brevard County
By Space Coast Daily // October 5, 2016
BREVARD HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT
ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey advises Space Coast residents on how to best deal with the looming Hurricane Matthew.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As Hurricane Matthew approaches the Space Coast, the National Hurricane Center reported at 11 a.m. Wednesday that the track of Matthew’s eyewall is now currently forecasted to pass within 40 miles offshore of Brevard County late Thursday night, into early Friday morning.
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.
A mandatory evacuation order has been issued effective at 3 p.m. Wednesday by Brevard County Emergency Management for the barrier islands and Merritt Island.
CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR EVACUATION ZONE
Related Story:UPDATE: Brevard Public Schools Closed Thursday and Friday, All Activities Are Cancelled
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.
Related Story:HURRICANE MATTHEW UPDATE: Storm Expected To Skirt Brevard County Coast Late Thursday Night
• 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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