VIDEO: Cat. 4 Hurricane Matthew Barreling Towards Space Coast, Could Strengthen More By Tonight
By Hurricane Matthew Updates // October 6, 2016
195 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral
ABOVE VIDEO: Space Coast Daily’s Alan Zlotorzynski at the Cocoa Beach Pier.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – National Hurricane Center’s latest reading has located the Category 4 Hurricane Matthew about 195 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral.
The hurricane is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph.
Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph with higher gusts. Matthew continues to be a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Some additional strengthening is possible, as Matthew should remain a Category 4 hurricane while it approaches the Space Coast.
“The storm is expected to impact our community for the next 24 hours. Please be prepared to protect your family, your pets, throughout the duration of this hurricane,”said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
“Folks, this is a major storm and can cause significant damage and loss of life if you are not completely prepared. I cannot express enough the importance of seeking safe shelter, especially for those on the barrier islands, living in manufactured homes or low-line areas that are prone to flooding.”
The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. There is a danger of life- threatening inundation during the next 36 hours along the Florida east coast.
ABOVE VIDEO: Space Coast Daily’s Alan Zlotorzynski reports on SR 520.
Matthew may be a Category 4 or 5 hurricane before striking the Florida coast starting Thursday night, according to The Weather Channel.
The National Weather Service in Melbourne on the potential impact says, “Matthew would likely be stronger than any hurricane in recent decades, including the 2004 hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Jeanne) as well as Hurricane David in 1979.”
Widespread power outages are expected tonight. Officials advise residents to be prepared in case power goes down for extended amount of time.
ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey provides the residents on the Space Coast with the latest news about Hurricane Matthew.
Space Coast area will most likely see 5 to 10 inches of rain with some areas seeing as much as 12 inches.
ABOVE VIDEO: Hurrican Matthew is expected to make landfall in Brevard County Friday morning.
