This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/us/hurricane-matthew-us.html

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hurricane Matthew Nears U.S., and States Brace for Impact Hurricane Matthew Nears U.S., and States Brace for Impact
(about 2 hours later)
• Gov. Rick Scott of Florida told the 1.5 million residents in evacuation zones: “You need to leave. Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.”• Gov. Rick Scott of Florida told the 1.5 million residents in evacuation zones: “You need to leave. Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.”
• The hurricane’s center is about 215 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., and it is moving northwest at 12 miles per hour over the Bahamas. • The hurricane’s center is about 215 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., moving northwest at 12 miles per hour over the Bahamas.
• The storm’s maximum sustained winds rose overnight to 125 m.p.h. from 115 m.p.h. It is expected to intensify to become a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 130 m.p.h. • The storm is expected to intensify to become a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 130 m.p.h.
• A hurricane warning is in effect from northern Miami-Dade County, Fla., to the Altamaha Sound, between Jacksonville, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. A hurricane watch runs from Altamaha Sound to the South Santee River in South Carolina, between Charleston and Myrtle Beach.• A hurricane warning is in effect from northern Miami-Dade County, Fla., to the Altamaha Sound, between Jacksonville, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. A hurricane watch runs from Altamaha Sound to the South Santee River in South Carolina, between Charleston and Myrtle Beach.
• The governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina declared emergencies, and more than 7,800 National Guard soldiers were activated or placed on alert. • New York Times journalists covering the storm include Lizette Alvarez in Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Azam Ahmed and Nick Madigan in Miami; Frances Robles in Titusville, Fla.; Les Neuhaus in Jacksonville, Fla.; Alan Blinder in Atlanta; and Richard Fausset and Jess Bidgood in Charleston, S.C.
• New York Times journalists assigned to cover the storm include Lizette Alvarez in Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Azam Ahmed and Nick Madigan in Miami; Frances Robles in Titusville, Fla.; Les Neuhaus in Jacksonville, Fla.; Alan Blinder in Atlanta; Richard Fausset in Charleston, S.C.; and Jess Bidgood in Wilmington, N.C.
Florida’s governor pleaded with people on Thursday to evacuate from the state’s east coast as Hurricane Matthew threatened to roar past as a Category 4 storm.Florida’s governor pleaded with people on Thursday to evacuate from the state’s east coast as Hurricane Matthew threatened to roar past as a Category 4 storm.
“There are no excuses,” Gov. Rick Scott said in Tallahassee, the state capital. “You need to leave. Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.” “There are no excuses,” Mr. Scott said in Tallahassee, the state capital. “You need to leave. Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.”
Mr. Scott, who has spent days warning that the storm could be catastrophic in a state that has not had a major hurricane make landfall since 2005, added: “This storm will kill you. Time is running out.”Mr. Scott, who has spent days warning that the storm could be catastrophic in a state that has not had a major hurricane make landfall since 2005, added: “This storm will kill you. Time is running out.”
He repeatedly warned residents along the coast of the danger of the storm surge. In the hours before Mr. Scott appeared in Tallahassee, the forecast for Florida seemed to grow grimmer, and evacuations were underway all along the state’s eastern coast. Tropical storm-force winds of at least 39 m.p.h. are expected to begin lashing the state by late Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center said, with hurricane-force winds arriving by sometime Thursday night.
In the hours before Mr. Scott appeared in Tallahassee, the forecast for Florida seemed to grow grimmer, and evacuations were underway all along the state’s eastern coast. Tropical storm-force winds of at least 39 miles an hour are expected to begin lashing the state by late Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center said, with hurricane-force winds arriving by sometime Thursday night. The governor’s office said that more than 1.5 million people were in evacuation zones, and that tolls had been suspended on the Florida Turnpike and other crucial routes. Officials planned to open more than 100 shelters statewide, and 2,500 National Guard soldiers had been activated. The Coast Guard closed major ports, including facilities in Fort Pierce, Miami and Palm Beach. — LIZETTE ALVAREZ and ALAN BLINDER
“This is clearly going to either have a direct hit or come right along our coast, and we’re going to have hurricane-force winds,” the governor said. In Port St. Lucie, Fla., a golfer’s paradise and the home of spring training for the New York Mets, Hurricane Matthew seemed more a nuisance than a threat early Thursday. The storm was still plowing through the Bahamas, so far away that people in Port St. Lucie, just a few miles from the coast, occupied their time with last-minute preparation and by playing a guessing game.
The governor’s office said that more than 1.5 million people were in evacuation zones, and that tolls had been suspended on the Florida Turnpike and other crucial routes. Officials planned to open more than 100 shelters statewide, and 2,500 National Guard soldiers had been activated. The Coast Guard closed major ports, including facilities in Fort Pierce, Miami and Palm Beach.
But in Port St. Lucie, a golfer’s paradise and the home of spring training for the New York Mets, Hurricane Matthew seemed more a nuisance than a threat early Thursday. The storm was still plowing through the Bahamas, so far away that people in Port St. Lucie, just a few miles from the coast, occupied their time with last-minute preparation and by playing a guessing game.
Will the storm stay a Category 3, or will it strengthen into a more monstrous Category 4? How high will the storm surge be? Will this area bear the brunt, or will Vero Beach or Fort Pierce? Will barrier beach communities have any beaches left?Will the storm stay a Category 3, or will it strengthen into a more monstrous Category 4? How high will the storm surge be? Will this area bear the brunt, or will Vero Beach or Fort Pierce? Will barrier beach communities have any beaches left?
Rick Dixon, who moved to Florida from Ohio 25 years ago, chuckled at the growing panic around him as he left a Publix grocery store in Port St. Lucie before sunrise, holding a bag with yogurt, corn and a few other nonessential items. Rick Dixon, who moved to Florida from Ohio 25 years ago, chuckled at the growing panic around him as he left a Publix grocery store, holding a bag with yogurt, corn and a few other nonessential items.
“I’ve got Doritos,” said Mr. Dixon, 71. “I’m good.”“I’ve got Doritos,” said Mr. Dixon, 71. “I’m good.”
Mr. Dixon said he was so confident nothing major would come of the storm he did little to secure his house.Mr. Dixon said he was so confident nothing major would come of the storm he did little to secure his house.
His neighbor, on the other hand, a hurricane novice from New York, was taking things a lot more seriously. Mr. Dixon said she asked him whether it was smart to cut out her screens as she had heard somebody suggest. He laughed. — LIZETTE ALVAREZ and ALAN BLINDER His neighbor, on the other hand, a hurricane novice from New York, was taking things a lot more seriously. Mr. Dixon said she asked him whether it was smart to cut out her screens as she had heard somebody suggest. He laughed. — LIZETTE ALVAREZ
People near Georgia’s 100 miles of coastline, wedged between a state bracing for its first major hurricane in more than a decade and another that began mass evacuations on Wednesday, prepared on Thursday for a rare brush with a tropical cyclone.People near Georgia’s 100 miles of coastline, wedged between a state bracing for its first major hurricane in more than a decade and another that began mass evacuations on Wednesday, prepared on Thursday for a rare brush with a tropical cyclone.
The authorities recommended voluntary evacuations in parts of the six counties that face the Atlantic. Gov. Nathan Deal declared emergencies there and in 24 inland counties.The authorities recommended voluntary evacuations in parts of the six counties that face the Atlantic. Gov. Nathan Deal declared emergencies there and in 24 inland counties.
“I urge Georgians in the affected areas to remain calm, be prepared and make informed, responsible decisions as we continue to monitor Hurricane Matthew’s path,” Mr. Deal said in a statement.“I urge Georgians in the affected areas to remain calm, be prepared and make informed, responsible decisions as we continue to monitor Hurricane Matthew’s path,” Mr. Deal said in a statement.
Forecasts suggest that Georgia will maintain its 37-year streak of not having a hurricane make landfall from the Atlantic, but officials said that even a small change in the storm’s path could substantially increase the risks to the state. No major hurricane — defined as a Category 3 storm or greater — has directly struck Georgia since 1898, the state said.Forecasts suggest that Georgia will maintain its 37-year streak of not having a hurricane make landfall from the Atlantic, but officials said that even a small change in the storm’s path could substantially increase the risks to the state. No major hurricane — defined as a Category 3 storm or greater — has directly struck Georgia since 1898, the state said.
By Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center had placed the entire Georgia coast under a hurricane warning or watch. Forecasters predicted that the storm would be near St. Simons Island as a Category 2 hurricane by early Saturday. By Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center had placed the entire Georgia coast under a hurricane warning or watch.
Savannah, the historic city of about 146,000 that anchors the region, planned to open its emergency operations center on Thursday, but it said municipal offices and services would continue as normal, at least for the day. — ALAN BLINDER — ALAN BLINDER
On Thursday morning, the ghosts in the lovely old city of Charleston had ample room. The streets of the historic district were largely devoid of human life in the pre-dawn darkness. A hard wind whipped through the palms.On Thursday morning, the ghosts in the lovely old city of Charleston had ample room. The streets of the historic district were largely devoid of human life in the pre-dawn darkness. A hard wind whipped through the palms.
Charleston’s evacuation began around 3 p.m. Wednesday, as officials, bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Matthew, reversed the highway lanes out of town. Other areas of the South Carolina coast will be evacuated on Thursday morning, Gov. Nikki R. Haley said.Charleston’s evacuation began around 3 p.m. Wednesday, as officials, bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Matthew, reversed the highway lanes out of town. Other areas of the South Carolina coast will be evacuated on Thursday morning, Gov. Nikki R. Haley said.
In many ways, evacuating the city has become increasingly challenging. Charleston is South Carolina’s second-largest city, one that has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance. The metro area’s population is booming. New luxury hotels have bloomed in and among the city’s elegant downtown buildings, and new technology industries have attracted a young and prosperous work force. Some residents say a place that felt like a clubby little town just a decade or so ago now feels like a city. Ms. Haley said Thursday that about 175,000 people had evacuated, but she quickly added: “That’s not enough.” About 2,000 National Guard soldiers were assisting in preparation efforts.
But none of that success has made low-lying Charleston any less vulnerable to the ravages of a powerful storm. Many here remember how badly the city was pummeled by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In October, historic rainfall — as much as 25 inches in some parts of the Charleston area — resulted in flash flooding, damaged properties and some residents who required rescue at the hands of emergency crews. Charleston, South Carolina’s second-largest city, has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance. The metro area’s population is booming. New luxury hotels have bloomed among elegant downtown buildings, and new technology industries have attracted a young and prosperous work force.
So what to do? Before closing its offices this week, the city of Charleston distributed 15,500 sandbags to residents — a record. Many here took school buses out of town on Wednesday, inland, to Greenville. Many others drove out on packed highways away from the coast. But none of that success has made low-lying Charleston any less vulnerable to the ravages of a powerful storm. Many here remember how badly the city was pummeled by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In October, historic rainfall resulted in flash flooding.
Others are staying no matter what. Brian Hendrickson lives in nearby Goose Creek. On Thursday morning, he was determined to carry out his regular morning routine. Denied access to the highways, he took back roads to his gym in the West Ashley neighborhood, and worked out alone. Then drove to The Vendue, a luxury hotel on the peninsula, and clocked in at his maintenance job. So what to do? Before closing its offices this week, the city distributed 15,500 sandbags to residents — a record. Many here took school buses out of town on Wednesday, inland, to Greenville. Many others drove out on packed highways away from the coast. — RICHARD FAUSSET
Some in the Charleston area are staying no matter what. Brian Hendrickson lives in nearby Goose Creek. On Thursday morning, he was determined to carry out his regular morning routine. Denied access to the highways, he took back roads to his gym and worked out alone. Then drove to The Vendue, a luxury hotel on the peninsula, and clocked in at his maintenance job.
“I’ve got a wedding coming up in November, and I’ve got to make money,” said Mr. Hendrickson, 29. “If I evacuated, it would be costing me money.”“I’ve got a wedding coming up in November, and I’ve got to make money,” said Mr. Hendrickson, 29. “If I evacuated, it would be costing me money.”
Like many coastal residents, he also harbors something of a fatalistic streak. When asked about the dangers he might face by remaining in town, he shrugged. When asked about the dangers he might face by remaining in town, he shrugged. “If it’s my time, it’s my time,” he said. — RICHARD FAUSSET
“If it’s my time, it’s my time,” he said. — RICHARD FAUSSET In North Carolina, which was once poised to be a major target of the storm, worries eased.
“The model still looks good for North Carolina, especially in comparison to what you’re seeing in South Carolina, Georgia and especially Florida,” said Gov. Pat McCrory, who on Monday declared emergencies for 66 counties.
No evacuation orders were in place in North Carolina on Thursday, but the National Hurricane Center kept part of the state’s southeast at the edge of its so-called forecast cone. — ALAN BLINDER
Two days after Hurricane Matthew tore across Haiti’s southwestern peninsula, the storm battered the Bahamas.Two days after Hurricane Matthew tore across Haiti’s southwestern peninsula, the storm battered the Bahamas.
Reports from the Haitian government said that 23 people there had been killed. Reports from the Haitian government said that 23 people there had been killed. — AZAM AHMED
The storm pummeled the southern coast of Haiti on Tuesday, destroying homes and crops, sweeping away livestock and cutting off transportation as a large part of the Caribbean was pummeled by 145-mile-per-hour winds and torrential rain.
The top United Nations official in Haiti, Mourad Wahba, described the storm as “the largest humanitarian event” in the country of 11 million since a devastating earthquake six years ago, with thousands scrambling for shelter. — AZAM AHMED
John Schwartz, a New York Times reporter who covers climate change and the environment, is answering reader questions about the storm. He rode out his first hurricane, Carla, in his hometown, Galveston, Tex., at age 4. He has covered the aftermath of Katrina, as well as other storms for The Times.John Schwartz, a New York Times reporter who covers climate change and the environment, is answering reader questions about the storm. He rode out his first hurricane, Carla, in his hometown, Galveston, Tex., at age 4. He has covered the aftermath of Katrina, as well as other storms for The Times.
Ask your hurricane questions here.Ask your hurricane questions here.
Could the storm restrengthen over the Atlantic and head northeast to become a threat to New England? Thank you. — MatthewCould the storm restrengthen over the Atlantic and head northeast to become a threat to New England? Thank you. — Matthew
Of course, anything can happen with a storm: It’s possible that Matthew is going to loop around for a second shot at Florida and the Atlantic coast, and as long as it’s over relatively warm water, it can hold its strength or even grow in power. Some of the storm track models show it heading out east into the Atlantic without getting all that close to New England. But don’t forget: Predictions and models can be wrong, because the underlying conditions are always changing.Of course, anything can happen with a storm: It’s possible that Matthew is going to loop around for a second shot at Florida and the Atlantic coast, and as long as it’s over relatively warm water, it can hold its strength or even grow in power. Some of the storm track models show it heading out east into the Atlantic without getting all that close to New England. But don’t forget: Predictions and models can be wrong, because the underlying conditions are always changing.
How will the storm affect travel Thursday from Columbus, Ohio, to New York City? — GenevieveHow will the storm affect travel Thursday from Columbus, Ohio, to New York City? — Genevieve
The weather between the two cities should be unaffected, since the storm is not expected to go ashore in Florida until Thursday evening. But flights could well be disrupted from Florida airports, and that can have ripple effects throughout the system. It’s wise to check for flight delays, whether at the Federal Aviation Administration site, or with your airline.The weather between the two cities should be unaffected, since the storm is not expected to go ashore in Florida until Thursday evening. But flights could well be disrupted from Florida airports, and that can have ripple effects throughout the system. It’s wise to check for flight delays, whether at the Federal Aviation Administration site, or with your airline.
Read more >>Read more >>