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Hurricane Matthew, ‘Extremely Dangerous,’ Threatens Jacksonville Hurricane Matthew, ‘Extremely Dangerous,’ Threatens Jacksonville
(about 1 hour later)
Hurricane Matthew churned north along the coast of Florida on Friday, and state officials and forecasters shifted their focus to the danger of serious flooding in Jacksonville later in the day. The hurricane stayed just far enough offshore to spare Central Florida a direct hit, and it weakened slightly overnight, but it was still a powerful Category 3 storm with winds of about 115 miles per hour. Hurricane Matthew churned north along the coast of Florida on Friday, and state officials and forecasters shifted their focus to the danger of serious flooding in Jacksonville later in the day. The hurricane stayed just far enough offshore to spare Central Florida a direct hit, but it was still a powerful Category 3 storm with winds of about 115 miles per hour.
The storm was blamed for the deaths of more than 800 people in Haiti, according to a Reuters report based on information from civil protection and local officials.The storm was blamed for the deaths of more than 800 people in Haiti, according to a Reuters report based on information from civil protection and local officials.
Jacksonville is by far the largest population center in the hurricane’s path, with 868,000 people living in the city and almost 1.6 million in the metropolitan area. Jacksonville is by far the largest population center along the hurricane’s path, with almost 1.6 million in the metropolitan area.
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 3 p.m., the hurricane’s center was 36 miles east of St. Augustine, and about 60 miles southeast of Jacksonville. The storm was moving north-northwest at about 12 m.p.h. ■ At 4 p.m., the hurricane’s center was 35 miles east of St. Augustine, and about 45 miles east-southeast of Jacksonville. The storm was moving at about 12 m.p.h.
■ Governors from Florida to North Carolina issued evacuation orders for low-lying areas that are home to about 3 million people, but it was not clear how many residents were heeding them.
■ Governor Scott said that by Friday morning, more than 22,000 people had checked into the 145 public shelters that opened in Florida, and more were expected.■ Governor Scott said that by Friday morning, more than 22,000 people had checked into the 145 public shelters that opened in Florida, and more were expected.
■ At least one death in Florida has been connected to the hurricane. At 1:20 a.m. Friday, the St. Lucie County fire service received a call to aid a woman in her late 50s who had suffered a heart attack, but winds approaching hurricane force prevented emergency vehicles from responding. ■ At least two deaths in Florida has been connected to the hurricane. Early. Friday, the St. Lucie County fire service received a call to aid a woman who had suffered a heart attack, but winds approaching hurricane force prevented emergency vehicles from responding. Around noon, another woman was killed in Volusia, Fla., when a tree fell on her after she went outside to feed animals, according to James T. Dinneen, the Volusia County manager.
■ Florida officials said Friday afternoon that more than 1 million customers were without electricity. Some 257,000 customers in Volusia County lacked power, as did nearly 197,000 more in Brevard County. Another 91,000 customers were struggling in Duval County, which includes Jacksonville, and close to 70,000 customers in Orange County were without electricity. ■ Florida officials said Friday afternoon that more than 1 million customers were without electricity.
■ Significant flooding hit cities south of Jacksonville, including St. Augustine and Ormond Beach, on Friday.■ Significant flooding hit cities south of Jacksonville, including St. Augustine and Ormond Beach, on Friday.
■ Matthew is expected to continue to parallel the coast into Georgia and the Carolinas, putting Savannah, Charleston and Wilmington, N.C., at risk, before turning out to sea. Forecasters warned that a shift westward of just a few miles in the storm’s track would greatly increase damage onshore. ■ Matthew is predicted to continue to parallel the coast into Georgia and the Carolinas, putting Savannah, Charleston and Wilmington, N.C., at risk, before turning out to sea.
■ The National Weather Service extended its hurricane warning northward into North Carolina, as far as Surf City. The Weather Service downgraded the hurricane warning for Florida’s south-central coast to a tropical storm warning, and lifted the tropical storm warning for the state’s southern coast, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. ■ The National Weather Service extended its hurricane warning northward into North Carolina. The Weather Service downgraded the hurricane warning for Florida’s south-central coast to a tropical storm warning, and lifted the tropical storm warning for the state’s southern coast.
■ President Obama warned against complacency. “I just want to emphasize to everybody that this is still a really dangerous hurricane, that the potential for storm surge, flooding, loss of life and severe property damage continues to exist,” he told reporters at the White House. “Pay attention to what your local officials are telling you. If they tell you to evacuate, you need to get out of there and move to higher ground.” The president has declared a state of emergency in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, allowing federal agencies to coordinate relief efforts.■ President Obama warned against complacency. “I just want to emphasize to everybody that this is still a really dangerous hurricane, that the potential for storm surge, flooding, loss of life and severe property damage continues to exist,” he told reporters at the White House. “Pay attention to what your local officials are telling you. If they tell you to evacuate, you need to get out of there and move to higher ground.” The president has declared a state of emergency in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, allowing federal agencies to coordinate relief efforts.
■ Officials urged residents who have not evacuated to remain in shelters and not be deceived by the bands of rain that come and go. 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.”
■ 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.
The Kennedy Space Center, and the space program that depends on it, may have dodged a bullet.The Kennedy Space Center, and the space program that depends on it, may have dodged a bullet.
As Hurricane Matthew moved north, it passed Cape Canaveral, according to NASA blog, with recorded sustained winds of 90 miles per hour and gusts up to 107 miles per hour — lower than initially feared but still enough to cause damage.As Hurricane Matthew moved north, it passed Cape Canaveral, according to NASA blog, with recorded sustained winds of 90 miles per hour and gusts up to 107 miles per hour — lower than initially feared but still enough to cause damage.
A 10:07 a.m. posting said there was “limited roof damage” and debris around the facility, with water and electric power disrupted. Storm surge, which might have been an enormous problem for the site, “has been observed to be relatively minimal.” A 10:07 a.m. posting said there was “limited roof damage” and debris around the facility.
A team of more than 100 people checking out the damage will not be able to get a more thorough look until winds die down a bit more; a damage assessment and recovery team will be brought in for a formal examination on Saturday. A damage assessment and recovery team will be brought in for a formal examination on Saturday.
William Harwood, who covers the space program for CBS from the area, spent the night at the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center and reported rainfall totals at 8 to 12 inches at the space center, with a storm surge of one to five inches. It was “much lower than expected,” he wrote in a on Twitter. — JOHN SCHWARTZ in New York William Harwood, who covers the space program for CBS from the area, spent the night at the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center and reported rainfall totals at 8 to 12 inches at the space center, with a storm surge of one to five feet. It was “much lower than expected,” he wrote in a on Twitter. — JOHN SCHWARTZ in New York
Mr. Scott, a Republican, declined to extend the deadline after a call from Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign to accommodate people disrupted by the hurricane. Read more »Mr. Scott, a Republican, declined to extend the deadline after a call from Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign to accommodate people disrupted by the hurricane. Read more »
As the hurricane moved up the coast, South Carolina officials pleaded for residents to leave coastal areas and barrier islands, warning that the storm could bring heavy rains and deadly flooding.As the hurricane moved up the coast, South Carolina officials pleaded for residents to leave coastal areas and barrier islands, warning that the storm could bring heavy rains and deadly flooding.
“It is getting worse,” Gov. Nikki R. Haley said at a news conference on Friday morning. “We are looking at major storm surges, we are looking at major winds.”“It is getting worse,” Gov. Nikki R. Haley said at a news conference on Friday morning. “We are looking at major storm surges, we are looking at major winds.”
As of 11 a.m., South Carolina’s entire coast was under a hurricane warning and a storm surge watch, said John Quagliariello, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He said the storm might make landfall in South Carolina on Saturday. As of 11 a.m., South Carolina’s entire coast was under a hurricane warning and a storm surge watch, said John Quagliariello, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He said the storm might make landfall in South Carolina on Saturday.
“Right now we’re looking at the potential for disasters and life-threatening storm surge inundation along the coast,” Mr. Quagliariello said. With as much as eight to 14 inches of rain in the forecast, he said, “we’re looking at the potential for deadly flooding on the Charleston peninsula.”“Right now we’re looking at the potential for disasters and life-threatening storm surge inundation along the coast,” Mr. Quagliariello said. With as much as eight to 14 inches of rain in the forecast, he said, “we’re looking at the potential for deadly flooding on the Charleston peninsula.”
Ms. Haley said that 310,000 people had evacuated, out of a target population of 500,000 potential evacuees, and that officials were going door to door, urging residents to leave. She said she was especially concerned about the state’s barrier islands.Ms. Haley said that 310,000 people had evacuated, out of a target population of 500,000 potential evacuees, and that officials were going door to door, urging residents to leave. She said she was especially concerned about the state’s barrier islands.
“Daniel Island — they’re not moving,” Ms. Haley said. “We need you to do this. The water that’s going to come in is going to be dangerous.”“Daniel Island — they’re not moving,” Ms. Haley said. “We need you to do this. The water that’s going to come in is going to be dangerous.”
Ms. Haley said that, as of Friday morning, nearly 3,000 residents were staying in the state’s 66 shelters. — JESS BIDGOOD in Charleston, S.C.
“We need lots of prayers today, and we need to encourage our family, friends and neighbors to understand: It’s not worth risking your life to see if you can ride out a storm,” she said. — JESS BIDGOOD in Charleston, S.C. Forecasters say there are hints that the storm could take a path back toward the coastline, at a reduced strength. Read more from John Schwartz »
Forecasters say there are hints that the storm could take a path back toward the coastline, at a reduced strength. Read more from John Schwartz
In Brevard County, Fla., officials were reporting localized flooding with at least one house fire and the roof of another blown off. Damage reports were slow coming in because major causeways were still closed, said Anita Stremmel, a spokeswoman for the Brevard County Emergency Management Agency.In Brevard County, Fla., officials were reporting localized flooding with at least one house fire and the roof of another blown off. Damage reports were slow coming in because major causeways were still closed, said Anita Stremmel, a spokeswoman for the Brevard County Emergency Management Agency.
Ms. Stremmel said emergency management authorities always worry that if a hurricane does not produce enough damage, it will make the evacuation process all the more difficult the next time. “It’s been so long since our last set of hurricanes — 12 years — people get lackadaisical,” she said. “It goes both ways. People who didn’t evacuate saw the storm getting bigger and bigger and got scared. We try to do things to help them, but then got to the point where we couldn’t do anything to help. Then you have others who are at the shelters, they’re done and want to go home. They get home and are like, ‘oh, nothing happened.’ Ms. Stremmel said emergency management authorities always worry that if a hurricane does not produce enough damage, it will make the evacuation process all the more difficult the next time. “It’s been so long since our last set of hurricanes — 12 years — people get lackadaisical,” she said.
“At the beginning, you just don’t know with every storm what’s going to happen,” Ms. Stremmel said. People who have been victims of storm damage tend to pay closer attention to the warnings, she added. “It’s all your frame of reference.” — FRANCES ROBLES in Titusville, Fla.“At the beginning, you just don’t know with every storm what’s going to happen,” Ms. Stremmel said. People who have been victims of storm damage tend to pay closer attention to the warnings, she added. “It’s all your frame of reference.” — FRANCES ROBLES in Titusville, Fla.
The Haitian government says more than 280 people had died during the hurricane, but on Friday Reuters reported that its own tally, based on information from civil protection and local officials, showed that at least 842 were confirmed dead.The Haitian government says more than 280 people had died during the hurricane, but on Friday Reuters reported that its own tally, based on information from civil protection and local officials, showed that at least 842 were confirmed dead.
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. — AZAM AHMED in MiamiNow 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. — AZAM AHMED in Miami
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.
Why do weather agencies and the news media keep getting the forecasts so wrong and overstate the severity of hurricanes? Is this some kind of insurance liability issue, where they are afraid of getting sued if they don’t paint a ‘doomsday’ picture? — JimWhy do weather agencies and the news media keep getting the forecasts so wrong and overstate the severity of hurricanes? Is this some kind of insurance liability issue, where they are afraid of getting sued if they don’t paint a ‘doomsday’ picture? — Jim
The conservative approach isn’t about liability, Jim, it’s about saving lives. The storm track that Matthew has followed has been well within the range of possibilities that the National Hurricane Center has been talking about all along. This is still a dangerous storm, and just because some stretches of the Florida coast have not been hit as catastrophically as was possible, that does not mean the rest of Florida or Georgia or South Carolina are in the clear.The conservative approach isn’t about liability, Jim, it’s about saving lives. The storm track that Matthew has followed has been well within the range of possibilities that the National Hurricane Center has been talking about all along. This is still a dangerous storm, and just because some stretches of the Florida coast have not been hit as catastrophically as was possible, that does not mean the rest of Florida or Georgia or South Carolina are in the clear.
Marshall Shepherd, the director of Atmospheric Sciences Program, University of Georgia, has been fiercely defending the warnings on Twitter, and I’ll let him do the talking here:Marshall Shepherd, the director of Atmospheric Sciences Program, University of Georgia, has been fiercely defending the warnings on Twitter, and I’ll let him do the talking here:
Chris W. Landsea, science and operations officer for the National Hurricane Center, said that while the storm has weakened somewhat, it is now spread over a larger area, and “a larger hurricane can cause more storm surge,” and a larger wind field; the wind damage, in other words, can be felt over a larger area. So a slightly weaker but larger storm is “kind of a wash, as far as impacts,” he said.Chris W. Landsea, science and operations officer for the National Hurricane Center, said that while the storm has weakened somewhat, it is now spread over a larger area, and “a larger hurricane can cause more storm surge,” and a larger wind field; the wind damage, in other words, can be felt over a larger area. So a slightly weaker but larger storm is “kind of a wash, as far as impacts,” he said.
Aren’t reporters being put in danger being assigned to be out in the middle of the hurricane? Why are they outside? — Sherry Storms I grew up in Houston and also rode out Carla as a child as well as Henrietta in Cabo as an adult. I certainly believe in climate change, but is the hurricane season really worse now? What about the 1900 Galveston hurricane? — Jackie Berry
Sherry, thanks for your expression of concern. Reporting often involves risk – but the important thing is, whenever possible, to be there, to bear witness and to tell these stories. This story from 2015 talks about all of the places that Times reporters have filed from — all over the country and all over the world. Sometimes that involves risk, absolutely, and the New York Times building has conference rooms dedicated to the memory of Times employees who have died in their service to getting the news, such as Anthony Shadid. Reporters going into hazardous areas are warned against taking unnecessary risks and in many cases get extensive safety training. There have always been hurricanes, and many have been profoundly destructive. The Great Storm of 1900 killed at least 6,000 people on Galveston Island, and remains the deadliest natural disaster in United States history.
Sending people into a storm is not an order given lightly, as this piece by Times editors shows. But you can’t tell the story from a desk in New York City. But climate change isn’t about these isolated incidents. It’s the long-term trend, and the long-term trend is not good.
People remember the 1900 storm — and the haunting song about it, Wasn’t that a Mighty Storm? and Erik Larson’s book “Isaac’s Storm” — because it stands out in the damage that it did. What climate change is doing is dumping more heat into the oceans and more moisture into the air — conditions that are likely, over time, to make the strong storms that do develop become more powerful, and possibly more frequent, as well.
Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University, noted that while global average temperatures are rising, “20 times more heat is going into the ocean” than into the atmosphere, and so that’s a lot of power in the sea for hurricanes to draw on. And, in fact, while the 1900 storm was terribly destructive, much of that tragedy could be blamed on the lack of warning in those pre-satellite times.
It’s hard to attribute any single weather event to climate change, but it’s clear that climate change sets up conditions that can lead to more 1900 storms, more Katrinas, more Sandys. When I wrote about the science of attribution last year, Andrew E. Dessler, a climate researcher at Texas A & M, told me determining whether an extreme weather event like a flood is caused by climate change is like trying to figure out which of Barry Bonds’s home runs were caused by his steroid use.
“You know statistically some of them were, but you don’t know which ones,” he said. “Almost certainly, it would have rained a lot even without climate change — but it’s possible climate change juiced it, added a little bit.”