Hurricane Matthew Moves Toward Bahamas, Southeast U.S., Bringing Drenching Rains, High Winds

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Oct 05, 2016

Hurricane Matthew Moves Toward Bahamas, Southeast U.S., Bringing Drenching Rains, High Winds

Hurricane Matthew made landfall on Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula yesterday morning, and is now making its way northward, posing a threat for Cuba, the Bahamas, and the southeast U.S.

According to The Christian Post, thousands of people have already been displaced in Haiti, and at least two people have died due to the storm. 

The hurricane’s impact on Cuba is reportedly less severe than its impact on Haiti, although heavy rain and dangerous storm surges still caused nearly 10,000 people to evacuate.

In Haiti, access to fresh water has already become an issue. Disaster relief teams, such as Samaritan’s Purse, led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, have already dispatched aid to the impoverished island nation.

As the storm makes its way northward, those in the U.S. are anxiously monitoring its progress.

The governors of Florida and North Carolina have declared states of emergency and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has ordered coastal evacuations of as many as 1.1 million people.

"Our goal is to make sure you get 100 miles away from the coast,” stated Haley at a press conference yesterday.

Florida’s Gov. Rick Scott stressed that they are taking no chances in the state. "We cannot rule out a direct hit on Florida," he said. "Again, we cannot rule out a direct hit."

Scott has also activated the Florida National Guard in case of an emergency.

Although coastal southeastern states are warned to be prepared for a possible landfall and high winds and drenching rains, meteorologists now say that Hurricane Matthew may turn more eastward and move out into the Atlantic.

"Matthew could pass near or just off the Southeast coast late this week into the weekend. Even if the center of the hurricane does stay offshore, we would still have the potential for coastal flooding, beach erosion, battering surf, rain and gusty winds," said Weather Channel meteorologist Chris Dolce.

The next immediate threat from the hurricane will be for the Bahamas.

 

Publication date: October 5, 2016



Hurricane Matthew Moves Toward Bahamas, Southeast U.S., Bringing Drenching Rains, High Winds