Florida declares state of emergency ahead of Hurricane “Matthew”

Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all counties ahead of Hurricane "Matthew", a life-threatening Category 4 storm. Scott signed the executive order on Monday, October 3, 2016, while visiting the City of Hialeah Emergency Operations Center.

“Hurricane Matthew is a life-threatening category four hurricane and we must all take it seriously. If it directly impacts Florida, there could be massive destruction which we haven’t seen since Hurricane Andrew devastated Miami-Dade County in 1992. That is why we cannot delay and must prepare for direct impact now. Having a plan in place could mean the difference between life and death during severe weather, especially a major category four hurricane," Scott said.

There are currently no evacuation orders in place and a direct impact to Florida is not expected, but the storm could quickly change track and no one should be caught off guard, Scott reminded.

The center of Category 4 Hurricane "Matthew" will pass directly over or very near southwestern Haiti around 12:00 UTC on October 4, 2016. Matthew has already claimed its first victims in Haiti, leaving at least two persons dead, authorities said Monday, October 3, 2016.

Hurricane "Matthew" forecast track by NHC at 06:00 UTC on October 4, 2016

Read more: Hurricane "Matthew" summary: data, images and videos – September/October 2016

Featured image: Hurricane "Matthew" at 06:45 UTC on October 4, 2016. Credit: UW-CIMSS