IF YOU CANNOT WATCH TV, CLICK HERE TO WATCH CH. 9’S COVERAGE ONLINE NOW
11:30 p.m. Update:
Chief Meteorologist Tom Terry says there is still the possibility Hurricane Matthew could 'wobble' back to the west.
Meanwhile, the peak storm surge has reduced from 9 feet+ to 6 feet+ because of the shift east in the 11:00 track update. We are going to continue to monitor the surge; high tide is in 30 minutes and that will effect the storm surge.
11:00 p.m. Update:
Hurricane Matthew remains a category 4 hurricane, but it has weakened very slightly. It has also shifted slightly to the east, which is good news. However, you should not let your guard down. A high storm surge is still predicted and the wind gusts will still be an issue.
TRACK: Hurricane Matthew on Live Doppler 9 HD
A new flood advisory has been issued for the northern part of Central Florida.
New Flood Advisory north of #Orlando for #Deltona #DaytonaBeach & Lake County. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/Ucj9Qa0h9F
— Brian Shields (@BrianWFTV) October 7, 2016
10:45 p.m. Update:
Right now the eye of Hurricane Matthew is 50 miles off of the coast of Martin County.
SLIDESHOW: Central Floridians share their pictures
10:15 p.m. Update:
45 minutes before the next track is released, Chief Meteorologist Tom Terry says Hurricane Matthew is developing a double eyewall. It is a rare situation that means there are two sets of the strongest winds, expanding the hurricane-force wind field.
Matthew has a double eye wall. This expands the hurricane force winds - which means they will arrive sooner. #wftv pic.twitter.com/Swwv73tQpt
— Brian Shields (@BrianWFTV) October 7, 2016
9:30 p.m. Update:
Parts of Central Florida are under an Areal Flood Warning. %
%
So far, 5.1 inches of rain has been reported at the airport in Sanford; 8.66 inches in southwest Sanford.
8:30 p.m. Update:
Hurricane Matthew now passing Grand Bahama; begins approach to Florida as a Category 4 storm. Portions of Volusia, Brevard coasts at risk for a 7 foot+ storm surge.
So when's it going to get bad?
— tom terry (@TTerryWFTV) October 6, 2016
Overnight through morning, depending on your neighborhood. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/u5ag00FZkT
5 p.m. update:
Hurricane Matthew continues to gain strength and seems to be going through the eye-wall replacement cycle, which could lead to further intensification.
Matthew is a strong Category 4 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and is moving northwest at 13 mph.
Hurricane Matthew about to hit Freeport, winds at 140mph, larger eyewall trying to form. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/AZ4mxM7Qh3
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) October 6, 2016
Tropical storm-force winds extend outward to 185 miles and hurricane-force winds extend 60 miles.
Its wind field could widen a bit more before making landfall early Friday.
Storm surge is a BIG THREAT, life threatening! Barrier Isl. could get 2 rounds of inundation, with the wind shifting pic.twitter.com/BYQK2lz9Vq
— tom terry (@TTerryWFTV) October 6, 2016
You NEED to understand this warning.If issued for your location, treat it like a tornado warning. Go to safe room....
Posted by Irene Sans on Thursday, October 6, 2016
4 p.m. update
WATCH LIVE: Hurricane Matthew coverageHurrican Matthew is expected to make landfall in Brevard County Friday morning. Here's the latest on Matthew: http://at.wftv.com/2dI2HoS
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Thursday, October 6, 2016
2 p.m. update:
Hurricane Matthew is barreling toward Florida with 140 mph winds.
NEW ADVISORY: Pressure is down ~ a sign of further strengthening. #wftv pic.twitter.com/DSsaJCGZg1
— Brian Shields (@BrianWFTV) October 6, 2016
Tropical storm squalls are working into South Florida Thursday afternoon. Severe Weather Center 9’s meteorologists said the pressure is down, which is a sign of further strengthening.
Wind gusts in #Orlando may approach 100 mph tomorrow morning. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/xbhTxmp4Pv
— tom terry (@TTerryWFTV) October 6, 2016
In Brevard County, the wind is packing quite a punch.
11 a.m. update:
Hurricane Matthew strengthened to a catastrophic Category 4 storm Thursday as it barrels toward the heavily-populated coast of Florida.
Already getting 45mph gusts with outer bands from #Matthew. #wftv pic.twitter.com/BtuxDHvf02
— tom terry (@TTerryWFTV) October 6, 2016
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the storm's maximum sustained winds had strengthened to 140 mph as of late Thursday morning and were expected to maintain their strength as the storm approaches the Florida coast.
The new track has a DIRECT hit in Brevard County of a major hurricane - that has NEVER happened on our coast before. pic.twitter.com/7EhJBwgk7K
— tom terry (@TTerryWFTV) October 6, 2016
Hurricane conditions were also still affecting the Bahamas. The storm was expected to start affecting Florida by early afternoon Thursday.
The death toll in Haiti from Hurricane Matthew has risen to at least 108.
Be where you need to be by 5pm today. Live on Channel 9 now. #wftv pic.twitter.com/TMZevyvQ2i
— Brian Shields (@BrianWFTV) October 6, 2016
The storm is centered about 215 miles southeast of West Palm Beach and moving northwest toward the state at 12 mph.
Gov. Rick Scott is warning Florida residents living in evacuation zones to "get out."
Scott said anyone living in low-lying areas or on barrier islands should "evacuate, evacuate, evacuate." He said tolls have been lifted on all roadways to help make evacuations easier.
This could be in the top SEVEN of strongest hurricane to impact Florida (credit: @philklotzbach). #wftv
— Brian Shields (@BrianWFTV) October 6, 2016
Remarking that "this is game day," Scott warned people to stay off beaches up and down Florida's Atlantic coastline Thursday, adding that "no one needs to be on the beach doing anything."
The governor has activated another 1,000 National Guard members, bringing the total to 2,500. He said they'll be available to help with evacuations and getting people to shelters.
Conditions starting to worsen around Daytona Beach #HurricaneMatthew pic.twitter.com/ztZmhL0Ihy
— Mike Springer WFTV (@mspringerwftv) October 6, 2016
This is a "worst case scenario" for Central Florida. Extensive damage is LIKELY at the coast with SIGNIFICANT damage inland. On 9 now. #wftv pic.twitter.com/ARTyorHcBw
— Brian Shields (@BrianWFTV) October 6, 2016
Officials said some 3,000 people have already checked into shelters in Florida ahead of Hurricane Matthew's approach.
According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, 48 shelters are already providing refuge for 3,015 people in Florida. Another 13 special needs shelters are already housing 31 people.
Impacts from Mattthew are IMMINENT in Central Florida. Please use patience. Continue preps. Live on Ch. 9 now. #wftv pic.twitter.com/3HAz7kc0qs
— Brian Shields (@BrianWFTV) October 6, 2016
Download Channel 9's free weather app for instant updates on your smartphone
TIMELINE OF CHANGING WEATHER ON THURSDAY
Hurricane Matthew's impact will start across south Florida Thursday morning, with tropical storm to hurricane conditions and hazardous seas.
Here's how the winds build Thursday as we wait for Hurricane Matthew for Friday. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/aGHjs0z1vm
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) October 6, 2016
Across Central Florida, breezy conditions will prevail on Thursday morning as the pressure gradient (differences between the high and the low) tightens. Dangerous conditions will shift north during the day on Thursday, and conditions will quickly deteriorate late Thursday afternoon continuing through Friday afternoon.
"Please stay alert, as conditions will be changing rapidly," Tom Terry said.
At any point along the coast, hurricane conditions will be possible for an 18 to 24-hour stretch and storm damage could be significant and unprecedented.
NEW: #Marion Co. now under a tropical storm warning / Ahora el Cdo. Marion en aviso de tormenta tropical. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/bkOkTh287S
— Irene Sans (@IreneSans) October 6, 2016
Hurricane warnings have been issued for Volusia, Brevard, Osceola and Orange counties.
IMPACTS & THREATS
Along the coast (Brevard, Volusia, and Flagler counties):
- Thursday: Tropical storm-force winds of at least 39 mph (sustained winds)
- Friday: Strongest winds, likely hurricane-force winds, sustained, of at least 100 mph. Very high surf, waves above 15 feet, storm surge above 6 feet along the coast Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties, rip currents and large beach erosion. Rainfall could vary between 3 and 6 inches, depending on the track and where the bands become more persistent.
Storm surge: An abnormal rise of water, generated by a storm over and above the predicted astronomical tide, will be a big problem for coastal Brevard, Volusia and Flagler residents.
The eastern coastal counties are under a storm surge watch. Please evacuate if ordered to evacuate. Water the main cause of death when a hurricane strikes.
This rise of water could occur even well away from the track of the center, depending on the relative timing of the surge and tidal cycle.
Inland (Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Polk, Sumter, Marion)
- Thursday: Breezy. Winds will be increasing through the afternoon. Persistent rain bands could bring some heavier rain amounts. Weather will be quickly deteriorating, please stay tuned to the latest weather updates.
- Friday: Hurricane-force winds likely. Rain bands with embedded thunderstorms, depending on the track and where the bands become more persistent. Some of these rain bands could have severe thunderstorms embedded in them, producing stronger winds gusts and the possibility of developing tornadoes.
"Matthew continues to pose a threat like we've never seen before. Along the coast, it is a life-threatening situation. We remain at risk for a direct hit from Matthew," said Meteorologist Brian Shields.
"We have never, ever seen anything like this in Central Florida," he said. "Matthew is the greatest weather threat we've ever faced."
"I expect this storm to bring significant damage to Central Florida, including the potential of prolonged power outages, especially along the east coast," said Terry.
Coastal residents are urged to follow official orders. Brevard County and Volusia County have already ordered mandatory evacuations for the barrier islands.
If you have not evacuated in mandatory areas, authorities warned that rescuers will not be able provide help or rescues when danger strikes.
CHECK IF YOU LIVE IN AN EVACUATION ZONE
THE LATEST ON CENTRAL FLORIDA SCHOOL CLOSURES
Video in Spanish serving our Spanish-speaking community, residents and tourists. By Digital meteorologist Irene Sans
RECEIVE WEATHER ALERTS IN YOUR CURRENT LOCATION, RIGHT TO YOUR PHONE
Our team of meteorologists will continue to monitor Matthew closely and bring you updates about its evolution on WFTV Channel 9, WFTV.com, the WFTV Weather app and on all of our social media platforms. Newscasts air at 5 a.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m on WFTV and from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. and at 10 a.m. on WRDQ.
Click here to watch WFTV's live team coverage.
Follow our Meteorologists:
Cox Media Group