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Hurricane Matthew, ‘Extremely Dangerous,’ Moves North Near Florida Coast Hurricane Matthew, ‘Extremely Dangerous,’ Moves North Near Florida Coast
(about 1 hour later)
Hurricane Matthew churned along the central coast of Florida Friday but avoided making a direct hit. The hurricane had weakened slightly overnight but was still a powerful Category 3 storm with winds of about 120 miles per hour. The storm was blamed for the deaths of more than 280 people in Haiti. Hurricane Matthew churned along the central coast of Florida on Friday but avoided making a direct hit. The hurricane had weakened slightly overnight but was still a powerful Category 3 storm with winds of about 120 miles per hour. The storm was blamed for the deaths of more than 280 people in Haiti.
Dispatches from our reporters on the ground; a live storm tracker map; and answers to reader questions will be updated below.Dispatches from our reporters on the ground; a live storm tracker map; and answers to reader questions will be updated below.
■ At 8 a.m., the western edge of the hurricane’s center was about 45 miles east-southeast of Daytona Beach, Fla., and moving north-northwest at about 13 m.p.h. Gusts of more than 100 m.p.h. were reported near Cape Canaveral as the eye wall approached that area. ■ At 10 a.m., the western edge of the hurricane’s center was about 30 miles east-southeast of Daytona Beach, Fla., and the storm was moving north-northwest at about 14m.p.h. Gusts of more than 100 m.p.h. were reported near Cape Canaveral as the eye wall approached that area.
■ The area facing the brunt of the storm has gradually shifted north, with Jacksonville already feeling the heavy rains and winds. A storm surge — as much as 7 to 11 feet in some spots — is a concern on the coast, including in downtown Jacksonville along the St. Johns River. ■ The area facing the brunt of the storm has gradually shifted north, with Jacksonville already feeling heavy rains and winds. A storm surge — as much as seven to 11 feet in some spots — is causing concern on the coast, including in downtown Jacksonville along the St. Johns River.
■ More than 500,000 in Florida are without power, Governor Scott said at a news conference Friday morning. ■ More than 500,000 in Florida are without power, Gov. Rick Scott said at a news conference Friday morning.
■ Officials urged residents who have not evacuated to remain in shelters and not to be deceived by the bands of rain that come and go. “The worst is yet to come,” the mayor of Daytona Beach, Derrick Henry, said on CNN Friday morning, urging residents to “exercise prudence.” Richard Knabb, director of the National Hurricane Center, said, “Just because the center is off shore doesn’t mean you can’t be the center of the action.”■ Officials urged residents who have not evacuated to remain in shelters and not to be deceived by the bands of rain that come and go. “The worst is yet to come,” the mayor of Daytona Beach, Derrick Henry, said on CNN Friday morning, urging residents to “exercise prudence.” Richard Knabb, director of the National Hurricane Center, said, “Just because the center is off shore doesn’t mean you can’t be the center of the action.”
■ President Obama declared a state of emergency in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, allowing the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts.■ President Obama declared a state of emergency in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, allowing the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts.
■ To cover the storm and its aftermath, The New York Times has deployed journalists in Miami; Orlando, Fla.; Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Titusville, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Atlanta; and Charleston, S.C. Follow our correspondents on Twitter.■ To cover the storm and its aftermath, The New York Times has deployed journalists in Miami; Orlando, Fla.; Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Titusville, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Atlanta; and Charleston, S.C. Follow our correspondents on Twitter.
At 8:36 a.m. Friday, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center blog reported no major damage to the space center:
Newspapers across Florida captured the approach of the storm. You can view a selection of them here.Newspapers across Florida captured the approach of the storm. You can view a selection of them here.
Lizette Alvarez, a Times reporter, recalled her night in Florida City, Fla., in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew destroyed most of the motel she was staying in. Read more» Lizette Alvarez, a Times reporter, recalled her night in Florida City, Fla., in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew destroyed most of the motel she was staying in. Read moreo
The Haitian government on Thursday said more than 280 people were now dead from the effects of Hurricane Matthew, drastically revising earlier estimates as more of the affected areas are reached by aid personnel, according to local reports. The Haitian government says more than 280 people had died during the hurricane, drastically revising earlier estimates as more of the affected areas are reached by aid workers, according to local reports.
Now that transportation and at least some communication to the areas have been restored, the death toll appears to be rising drastically, according to a news conference held by the Ministry of Interior on Thursday morning. The deaths come amid a broad tableau of devastation: houses pummeled into timber, crops destroyed and large parts of towns and villages under several feet of water. — AZAM AHMED in Miami Now that transportation and at least some communication to those areas have been restored, a fuller picture of the damage is emerging, officials said at a news conference held by the Ministry of Interior. The deaths come amid a broad tableau of devastation: houses pummeled into timber, crops destroyed and large parts of towns and villages under several feet of water. — AZAM AHMED in Miami
If they tell you to get out — get out. Water rises swiftly and is more powerful than most people could imagine. And put your valuables in the fridge. What one New York Times editor learned four years ago during Hurricane Sandy. Read more»If they tell you to get out — get out. Water rises swiftly and is more powerful than most people could imagine. And put your valuables in the fridge. What one New York Times editor learned four years ago during Hurricane Sandy. Read more»
Tiffanie Daudelin Pretto was desperate to get into South Carolina, where she lives, and then to get out.Tiffanie Daudelin Pretto was desperate to get into South Carolina, where she lives, and then to get out.
So it was with a mixture of relief and trepidation that Ms. Daudelin Pretto, a registered nurse, on Thursday night boarded a mostly empty plane to Charleston from Washington. She had been in the area for two weeks of professional training that she was not allowed to leave early, even as South Carolina began mandatory evacuations along its coastline this week.So it was with a mixture of relief and trepidation that Ms. Daudelin Pretto, a registered nurse, on Thursday night boarded a mostly empty plane to Charleston from Washington. She had been in the area for two weeks of professional training that she was not allowed to leave early, even as South Carolina began mandatory evacuations along its coastline this week.
Stuck in the Washington area, Ms. Daudelin Pretto had no choice but to direct her children, who are 16 and 19, and her in-laws from a distance on Wednesday as they evacuated from their home in Summerville, outside Charleston.Stuck in the Washington area, Ms. Daudelin Pretto had no choice but to direct her children, who are 16 and 19, and her in-laws from a distance on Wednesday as they evacuated from their home in Summerville, outside Charleston.
“I had them take themselves and the pets and meet up with Grandma and Grandpa, and they all caravanned to Atlanta,” Ms. Daudelin Pretto said. “I was such a nervous wreck all day. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare.”“I had them take themselves and the pets and meet up with Grandma and Grandpa, and they all caravanned to Atlanta,” Ms. Daudelin Pretto said. “I was such a nervous wreck all day. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare.”
As Ms. Daudelin Pretto spoke on the plane, her in-laws were staying with family in Atlanta and her children and the family’s three cats were safely ensconced in a hotel room there. She pulled out the selfie they had sent to prove it.As Ms. Daudelin Pretto spoke on the plane, her in-laws were staying with family in Atlanta and her children and the family’s three cats were safely ensconced in a hotel room there. She pulled out the selfie they had sent to prove it.
She planned to meet her husband at the airport and drive straight to Atlanta without even stopping at home, because she was concerned that closed roads would make it difficult to get there.She planned to meet her husband at the airport and drive straight to Atlanta without even stopping at home, because she was concerned that closed roads would make it difficult to get there.
“My pets are safe. My children are safe. If the house gets destroyed, so be it, but I’d rather it not, since we just moved in a year ago,” Ms. Daudelin Pretto said. She added, “I really don’t expect much to be left of my home when I get back.” — JESS BIDGOOD in Charleston, S.C. “My pets are safe. My children are safe. If the house gets destroyed, so be it — but I’d rather it not, since we just moved in a year ago,” Ms. Daudelin Pretto said. She added, “I really don’t expect much to be left of my home when I get back.” — JESS BIDGOOD in Charleston, S.C.
People who live near the coast or in mobile homes or who just did not want to test their luck at home lugged suitcases, cases of water and clutched their favorite pillows as their minds drifted to what they left behind. People who live near the coast or in mobile homes or who just did not want to test their luck at home lugged suitcases and cases of water, sometimes clutching their favorite pillows as their minds drifted to what they left behind.
Lois Paul, 78, was one of 130 people at an elementary school in Brevard County, Fla., that was being used as a shelter on Thursday.Lois Paul, 78, was one of 130 people at an elementary school in Brevard County, Fla., that was being used as a shelter on Thursday.
“My house is blue; I call it ‘my blue heaven,’” Mrs. Paul said. “This one can blow your house away.”“My house is blue; I call it ‘my blue heaven,’” Mrs. Paul said. “This one can blow your house away.”
Mrs. Paul brought patio cushions to sleep on, sheets, pillows, an extra set of clothes and a windbreaker. She has done this three times before, during Charley, Frances and Jeanne in 2004. Mrs. Paul brought patio cushions to sleep on, sheets, pillows, an extra set of clothes and a windbreaker. She has done this three times before, during Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
“I’m afraid for my home,” she said. “The worst part is not knowing what’s going on there while you’re away. You just don’t know what you’re going to find when you get home.” — FRANCES ROBLES in Titusville, Fla.“I’m afraid for my home,” she said. “The worst part is not knowing what’s going on there while you’re away. You just don’t know what you’re going to find when you get home.” — FRANCES ROBLES in Titusville, Fla.
The effect of the storm is being felt on the presidential campaign, too. A joint appearance by Hillary Clinton and President Obama planned for Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Fla., was postponed. The Trump campaign was also affected: The Miami Herald reported that Ivanka Trump scrapped a fund-raiser Wednesday night at Trump National Doral golf resort. The effect of the storm is being felt on the presidential campaign, too. A joint appearance by Hillary Clinton and President Obama planned for Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Fla., was postponed. The Trump campaign was also affected: The Miami Herald reported that Ivanka Trump had scrapped a fund-raiser planned for Wednesday night at the Trump National Doral golf resort.
The hurricane could steal attention away from the campaign if it causes extensive damage. The Clinton campaign was preparing for that possibility, investing in advertising on the Weather Channel in markets across Florida, according to Politico. — ALAN RAPPEPORT in WashingtonThe hurricane could steal attention away from the campaign if it causes extensive damage. The Clinton campaign was preparing for that possibility, investing in advertising on the Weather Channel in markets across Florida, according to Politico. — ALAN RAPPEPORT in Washington
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 Hurricane 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 Hurricane Katrina, as well as other storms for The Times.
Ask your hurricane questions here.Ask your hurricane questions here.
What is the relationship between Hurricane Matthew and climate change? How important is it for the news media to depict and discuss this? — Cynthia YoungWhat is the relationship between Hurricane Matthew and climate change? How important is it for the news media to depict and discuss this? — Cynthia Young
Cynthia, this is one of the great questions of our age — not just establishing the role of climate change on extreme weather events, but also in stating clearly what we know and do not know. Short answer: It is difficult to attribute a particular storm to climate change, especially in the middle of the action.Cynthia, this is one of the great questions of our age — not just establishing the role of climate change on extreme weather events, but also in stating clearly what we know and do not know. Short answer: It is difficult to attribute a particular storm to climate change, especially in the middle of the action.
But climate scientists are working at quick attribution, and that science is developing. After interviewing Gabriel A. Vecchi, a climate researcher, I put it this way in an article a few weeks ago:But climate scientists are working at quick attribution, and that science is developing. After interviewing Gabriel A. Vecchi, a climate researcher, I put it this way in an article a few weeks ago:
Kerry A. Emanuel, a climate scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the evidence suggested climate change would cause the strongest storms to grow even stronger, and to be more frequent. Unresolved questions surround the effect of warming on the weaker storms, but even those will dump more rain, leading over time to increased damage from flooding.Kerry A. Emanuel, a climate scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the evidence suggested climate change would cause the strongest storms to grow even stronger, and to be more frequent. Unresolved questions surround the effect of warming on the weaker storms, but even those will dump more rain, leading over time to increased damage from flooding.
Read more»Read more»
Two veteran journalists discuss the challenges inherent in covering hurricanes. Read more»Two veteran journalists discuss the challenges inherent in covering hurricanes. Read more»