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/2016/10/08/us/hurricane-matthew.html
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 18 | Version 19 |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Matthew Blamed for 11 Deaths in U.S.; Carolinas and Georgia Hit With Severe Flooding | Hurricane Matthew Blamed for 11 Deaths in U.S.; Carolinas and Georgia Hit With Severe Flooding |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Hurricane Matthew made landfall Saturday morning near McClellanville, S.C., about 40 miles northeast of Charleston, as a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 75 miles per hour. On Saturday, it brought flooding in some areas, as the National Hurricane Center warned that torrential rains were already spreading inland across the Carolinas. | Hurricane Matthew made landfall Saturday morning near McClellanville, S.C., about 40 miles northeast of Charleston, as a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 75 miles per hour. On Saturday, it brought flooding in some areas, as the National Hurricane Center warned that torrential rains were already spreading inland across the Carolinas. |
| Charleston has reported substantial flooding in parts of the city, particularly downtown, with water breaching the sea wall. Water also rushed through the streets of Savannah, Ga., and flooding was also reported in other coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina. | Charleston has reported substantial flooding in parts of the city, particularly downtown, with water breaching the sea wall. Water also rushed through the streets of Savannah, Ga., and flooding was also reported in other coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina. |
| 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. |
| ■ The storm’s death toll in the United States has climbed to at least 11. Local officials in Georgia confirmed three deaths, as did Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina. At least five fatalities in Florida have been attributed to the storm. Nearly 900 people have died in Haiti, according to a Reuters report based on information from civil protection and local officials. | ■ The storm’s death toll in the United States has climbed to at least 11. Local officials in Georgia confirmed three deaths, as did Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina. At least five fatalities in Florida have been attributed to the storm. Nearly 900 people have died in Haiti, according to a Reuters report based on information from civil protection and local officials. |
| ■ The White House said President Obama had spoken with the governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and had reiterated his commitment to provide federal aid. | ■ The White House said President Obama had spoken with the governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and had reiterated his commitment to provide federal aid. |
| ■ Hurricane Matthew was just barely a hurricane as it made landfall, with winds of 75 m.p.h. In contrast, when the storm roared into Haiti, the winds were 145 m.p.h. To be classified as a hurricane, a storm must have sustained winds of at least 74 m.p.h. | ■ Hurricane Matthew was just barely a hurricane as it made landfall, with winds of 75 m.p.h. In contrast, when the storm roared into Haiti, the winds were 145 m.p.h. To be classified as a hurricane, a storm must have sustained winds of at least 74 m.p.h. |
| ■ In Georgia, the hurricane created a record storm surge for Tybee Island, near the state’s border with South Carolina. The surge reached 12.5 feet, according to the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency, which exceeded the previous high of 12.2 feet, set during Hurricane David in 1979. | ■ In Georgia, the hurricane created a record storm surge for Tybee Island, near the state’s border with South Carolina. The surge reached 12.5 feet, according to the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency, which exceeded the previous high of 12.2 feet, set during Hurricane David in 1979. |
| ■ Florida officials said on Saturday that 879,000 customers were without electricity, and that they hoped to have power restored to most people by Sunday night. About 220,000 customers were without power in Georgia, according to the Associated Press, and at least 430,000 in South Carolina. | ■ Florida officials said on Saturday that 879,000 customers were without electricity, and that they hoped to have power restored to most people by Sunday night. About 220,000 customers were without power in Georgia, according to the Associated Press, and at least 430,000 in South Carolina. |
| ■ The authorities in Georgia have closed stretches of Interstate 95, forcing cars and trucks to drive on waterlogged shoulders to avoid fallen pine trees that have blocked roads. | ■ The authorities in Georgia have closed stretches of Interstate 95, forcing cars and trucks to drive on waterlogged shoulders to avoid fallen pine trees that have blocked roads. |
| ■ To cover the storm and its aftermath, The New York Times has journalists deployed along the path of Hurricane Matthew. Follow our correspondents on Twitter. | ■ To cover the storm and its aftermath, The New York Times has journalists deployed along the path of Hurricane Matthew. Follow our correspondents on Twitter. |
| “The worst case scenario appears to be coming true as Hurricane Matthew has become a deadly storm in North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory in a statement. | |
| He said at least three people had died in the state because of the storm, which was dumping large amounts of rain in already-saturated regions of the states. The National Hurricane Center said some parts of North Carolina could record up to seven feet of storm surge. | |
| Mr. McCrory warned that the storm could turn around and go through the coastal area again. He said the state could experience its worst flooding since Hurricane Floyd in 1999. — ALAN BLINDER, in Orlando | |
| Hurricane Matthew lashed South Carolina’s Lowcountry with rain, and sent the sea surging upward. It turned roads into rivers and ripped trees from the inundated ground before making landfall north of Charleston. More than 430,000 people around the state have been left without power. | Hurricane Matthew lashed South Carolina’s Lowcountry with rain, and sent the sea surging upward. It turned roads into rivers and ripped trees from the inundated ground before making landfall north of Charleston. More than 430,000 people around the state have been left without power. |
| “We had a lot of rain, for many hours,” said Capt. Bob Bromage, the public information officer for the Sheriff’s Department in Beaufort County, southwest of Charleston. “We had flooding, we may have had some surge that we’re not aware of yet, we have downed trees, we have reports of downed trees on houses already.” | “We had a lot of rain, for many hours,” said Capt. Bob Bromage, the public information officer for the Sheriff’s Department in Beaufort County, southwest of Charleston. “We had flooding, we may have had some surge that we’re not aware of yet, we have downed trees, we have reports of downed trees on houses already.” |
| In Charleston, the wind picked up as the storm’s eye wall — with the most damaging winds and rain — rolled through. Water filled many downtown streets, and flowed over the sea wall along East Battery Street, along the southeastern edge of this peninsular city. | In Charleston, the wind picked up as the storm’s eye wall — with the most damaging winds and rain — rolled through. Water filled many downtown streets, and flowed over the sea wall along East Battery Street, along the southeastern edge of this peninsular city. |
| Pools of standing water remained around the city into the afternoon, and black pipes snaked out of first floors, carrying water back to the street. | Pools of standing water remained around the city into the afternoon, and black pipes snaked out of first floors, carrying water back to the street. |
| “We knew that a flood was coming,” said Darlene Kelly, who rode out the storm at a friend’s bed-and-breakfast in the city’s southernmost neighborhood, parts of which had been transformed by the standing water into a kind of lagoon. “Just a matter of dealing with it now.” | “We knew that a flood was coming,” said Darlene Kelly, who rode out the storm at a friend’s bed-and-breakfast in the city’s southernmost neighborhood, parts of which had been transformed by the standing water into a kind of lagoon. “Just a matter of dealing with it now.” |
| Still, some residents insisted they had not been too worried. | Still, some residents insisted they had not been too worried. |
| “My house has been here for 150 years or so,” said John Michael Flynn, 70. Nevertheless, he found water under his bed during the storm after his house began to leak. | “My house has been here for 150 years or so,” said John Michael Flynn, 70. Nevertheless, he found water under his bed during the storm after his house began to leak. |
| The hurricane brought the highest tidal surge — more than nine feet — since Hurricane Hugo, the catastrophic 1989 storm etched deeply into this city’s consciousness. Officials urged people to say inside during the day on Saturday, although a few took to the city’s temporary canals with kayaks and even tried to ride through on bicycles. | The hurricane brought the highest tidal surge — more than nine feet — since Hurricane Hugo, the catastrophic 1989 storm etched deeply into this city’s consciousness. Officials urged people to say inside during the day on Saturday, although a few took to the city’s temporary canals with kayaks and even tried to ride through on bicycles. |
| “Now is when the frustration sets in, because the anxiousness is when the storm is coming,” said Gov. Nikki R. Haley of South Carolina, during a news conference. She added: “What I am going to ask for you is patience. Most injuries, most fatalities occur after a storm because people attempt to move in too soon.” | “Now is when the frustration sets in, because the anxiousness is when the storm is coming,” said Gov. Nikki R. Haley of South Carolina, during a news conference. She added: “What I am going to ask for you is patience. Most injuries, most fatalities occur after a storm because people attempt to move in too soon.” |
| Parrish Rowland, a resident of a public housing complex on Charleston’s King Street, was among many in the city who did not heed that advice, and waded through waist-deep water, hoping to find something to eat. | Parrish Rowland, a resident of a public housing complex on Charleston’s King Street, was among many in the city who did not heed that advice, and waded through waist-deep water, hoping to find something to eat. |
| “I just figured I’d make it my way,” said Mr. Rowland, who spoke casually, even though the water was so deep it reached halfway up the gas pumps nearby. “I like to make it my way.” | “I just figured I’d make it my way,” said Mr. Rowland, who spoke casually, even though the water was so deep it reached halfway up the gas pumps nearby. “I like to make it my way.” |
| — JESS BIDGOOD, in Charleston. | — JESS BIDGOOD, in Charleston. |
| Gov. Rick Scott of Florida said on Saturday that the state had suffered “unbelievable amounts of beach erosion,” as well as damaged roads, flooding and felled trees. | Gov. Rick Scott of Florida said on Saturday that the state had suffered “unbelievable amounts of beach erosion,” as well as damaged roads, flooding and felled trees. |
| But Mr. Scott, who flew along the coastline to survey storm damage, said the storm’s consequences could have been far worse. | But Mr. Scott, who flew along the coastline to survey storm damage, said the storm’s consequences could have been far worse. |
| “The first thing we can say is we are all blessed that Matthew stayed off our coast,” he said. “I worried the whole time that even though the track was off our coast, that it would turn in and have a direct hit at some point.” | “The first thing we can say is we are all blessed that Matthew stayed off our coast,” he said. “I worried the whole time that even though the track was off our coast, that it would turn in and have a direct hit at some point.” |
| State and local officials said they were trying to expedite recovery. | State and local officials said they were trying to expedite recovery. |
| “We’re going to ride each other hard,” said Lenny Curry, the mayor of Jacksonville, Fla. “We’re going to ride our utilities, we’re going to ride all of our workers to get this community back together as quickly and as safely as possible. | “We’re going to ride each other hard,” said Lenny Curry, the mayor of Jacksonville, Fla. “We’re going to ride our utilities, we’re going to ride all of our workers to get this community back together as quickly and as safely as possible. |
| Still, Mayor Charlie Latham of Jacksonville Beach asked for patience. | Still, Mayor Charlie Latham of Jacksonville Beach asked for patience. |
| “We’re working diligently, and to be honest with you, we’re doing our very best just to get people home and provide safe access,” Mr. Latham said. — ALAN BLINDER, in Orlando | “We’re working diligently, and to be honest with you, we’re doing our very best just to get people home and provide safe access,” Mr. Latham said. — ALAN BLINDER, in Orlando |
| In Haiti, the Bahamas and Florida, the storm left behind stories of disaster and of disaster narrowly averted. Here are some of them. | In Haiti, the Bahamas and Florida, the storm left behind stories of disaster and of disaster narrowly averted. Here are some of them. |
| Forecasters say there are hints that the storm could take a path back toward the coastline, at a reduced strength. Read more » | Forecasters say there are hints that the storm could take a path back toward the coastline, at a reduced strength. Read more » |
| 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? — Jim | 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? — 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. |