Some Brevard residents say they'll ride out Hurricane Matthew aboard boats

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard County coastline looked like a ghost town Wednesday afternoon after thousands of residents evacuated to the mainland.

The county’s beaches and Port Canaveral looked equally desolate, but some were prepared to ride out the storm aboard their boats.

Estimating storm surge will be critical for the roughly 100 people who live on boats at the cramped Harbor Square Marina, nicknamed the Hurricane Hole.

Related story: Storm surge: what you need to know

Only about a dozen workers remained at a local restaurant marina the day before Hurricane Matthew was projected to make landfall.

Boats were shored and portions of a dock were removed. %

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"This has got us all on guard," a resident said. "A category 4 hitting this area? I don't think it's anything we've ever seen. I don't know what to expect."

Lunch for the marina’s team lasted only 10 minutes today.

“We fully expect with what we're seeing and what we're being told that water will be about five feet over where we're standing,” restaurant owner Joe Penovich said.

The National Hurricane Center predicted a storm surge along the state’s entire Atlantic coast, forecasting between three to six feet throughout most of Brevard and Flagler counties. Volusia County could see a surge up to seven feet.

At the Harbor Square, residents expect at least 3 feet of water rise. Estimating is the real trick to a proper tie-down job.

“It's a judgment call you have to do,” a resident said. “Do you pull it too tight? Do you pull it too loose? You don't know. You're constantly monitoring the boat.” %

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As the force of hurricane winds increase, seas get higher and water comes further inland. Experts say that water can be pushed significantly inland through rivers, canals and streams.

Cox Media Group