Hurricane Matthew Tracker: Projected Path Map, Evacuation Orders for 2 Million in Fla., SC, Ga. as Winds Reach 125 MPH
Hurricane Matthew has triggered evacuation orders for more than 2 million people who live near the southeastern coast, which includes Florida, South Carolina and Georgia, as residents prepare for a direct hit from a storm that has already killed 15 people in the Caribbeans.
President Barack Obama has warned Americans to heed weather reports and take evacuation orders seriously, CNN reported. Obama also warned that if the core of the storm strikes Florida, it could have a "devastating effect."
"Now is the time for you to prepare in the event that you have to evacuate," Obama said at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters.
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The National Hurricane Center has not yet confirmed that Matthew will hit Florida directly, but warned that the Category 4 hurricane, the largest since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, will get "very near" the Atlantic Coast.
The storm, which packed winds of 125 mph as it neared the northwest Bahamas, has already killed 15 people in a number of Caribbean countries, including Haiti.
Mourad Wahba, the U.N. special representative for Haiti, said that as many as 10,000 people are in shelters and overcrowded hospitals facing shortages of fresh water, with the storm knocking down communications and blocking roads.
Cuba, Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands have also been affected.
The Weather Channel said on Thursday morning that Matthew is expected to strengthen before it hits Florida Thursday night, and is expected to bring hurricane-force winds to northeast Florida, Georgia and the coastal South Carolina.
"Hurricane warnings have been extended northward to St. Simons Island and Brunswick, Georgia. This includes Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida," the report stated.
"Hurricane watches have been extended to just north of Charleston, South Carolina. This includes Savannah, Georgia, and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina," it added.
Reuters reported that roads in Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina are filling up with cars as people empty gas stations and stores, preparing for the impact that is also set to bring storm surges, heavy rains and sustained winds.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott warned at a news conference in Tallahassee on Wednesday that the storm can cause heavy damage.
"Everyone in our state must prepare now for a direct hit," Scott said.. "If Matthew directly impacts Florida, the destruction could be catastrophic and you need to be prepared."
The forecast noted that the worst winds and surge impacts are expected Thursday through early Friday in Southeast Florida; Friday through early Saturday in Northeastern Florida and the Georgia coast; along with Saturday and Saturday night in South Carolina.
Matthew is the strongest storm to strike the region in years, and was the first of a Category 4 to hit Haiti since Hurricane Cleo in 1964.
