Hurricane Matthew – State of Emergency in Florida as Governor warns: “This Will Kill You”

As Florida braces itself for the impact of Hurricane Matthew, Governor Rick Scott issued a dire warning to residents: “This will kill you.”

President Obama has already declared a State of Emergency for Florida and the National Weather Service fears that the hurricane could leave parts of the state “uninhabitable for weeks.”

Latest forecast models predict that Palm Beach County will be worst hit by Matthew which has already claimed the lives of more than 100 people.

Reuters said the death toll was at least 102 with 98 of those in Haiti alone – many of which were killed by falling trees, flying debris and swollen rivers.

Do not surf

It is unclear exactly what path Matthew will take, but if it does make landfall it will be the first hurricane to hit Florida directly since 2005.

Governor Scott said today: “Do not surf. Do not go on the beach. This will kill you.”He also warned of widespread power outages as the National Weather Service predicted that waves from the storm could reach up to 18 feet and warned of severe coastal surging.

Schools across most of Florida are closed, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is closed as are Orlando’s Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND.

The National Weather Service warned: “Extremely dangerous, life-threatening weather conditions are forecast.

Extreme

“The center of Hurricane Matthew containing the strongest wind gusts, storm surge and heavy rain squalls will move along or over portions of the east central Florida coastline very early Friday morning and into the afternoon.

It warned that:

• Widespread extensive to devastating wind impacts will be felt.
• Airborne debris lofted by extreme winds will be capable of breaching structures, unprotected windows and vehicles.
• Effects such as these ranging from the coast to well inland have not been experienced in central Florida in decades.
• Local winds will exceed what occurred during the hurricanes of 2004.
• Travel will be strongly discouraged beginning at dusk.
• Expect widespread power outages.
• Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury, loss of life or immense human suffering.

A number of mandatory evacuation orders are in effect throughout Florida and tolls have been lifted on all roads necessary for evacuation.

The post Hurricane Matthew – State of Emergency in Florida as Governor warns: “This Will Kill You” appeared first on Newsline.