WeatherFanatics: Hurricane Matthew to unleash dangerous flooding, damaging winds from Florida to North Carolina

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

October 6,2016; 1:20AM,EDT

Hurricane Matthew will close in on the southeastern United States coast through the end of the week, threatening areas with flooding, power outages and damaging winds.
"While the strength of Matthew will fluctuate as it approaches the U.S. coast late this week, it will remain a powerful and dangerous hurricane with threats from storm surge flooding and high winds," according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.

There is a chance Matthew makes landfall along multiple points from near the Florida Space Coast to near Cape Romain, South Carolina.
"Even if the eye of Hurricane Matthew remains just offshore, gusts to hurricane force can occur along the immediate Atlantic coast along with storm surge flooding," Kottlowski said.
Seas and surf will become dangerous with beach erosion and coastal flooding from Florida to North Carolina.
Small craft should remain secured in port and cruise and freight interests should consider rerouting their trips to avoid the monstrous seas that will develop. Offshore, seas can top 25 feet at the height of the storm.
Airline delays and flight cancellations will mount. Some smaller regional airports may close for a time.
People are encouraged to heed all advisories and evacuation orders where and when they are given.

Residents are rushing to prepare for Matthew as officials warn them to take hurricane warnings seriously. On Monday, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency for 66 counties in central and eastern North Carolina. He was later joined by Florida Gov. Rick Scott who issued a statewide state of emergency. Both governors also activated portions of their National Guard.
On Tuesday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley declared a state of emergency and ordered the evacuation of more than one million people from coastal areas along the state, while Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for 13 counties.
Hurricane-force winds, flooding to lash Florida's Atlantic coast
"Matthew will track very close to the east coast of Florida from late Thursday through Friday," Kottlowski said.

Areas of the immediate Florida coast at greatest risk for hurricane-force winds will extend from near West Palm Beach to Jacksonville.
These same areas will also be at risk for urban and low-lying area flooding due to heavy rainfall. Daytona Beach and Jacksonville could both experience significant coastal flooding.
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Farther west in Florida, from Interstate 95 to about 50 miles inland, gusts to tropical storm force are likely with isolated pockets where brief urban flooding can occur from downpours.
West of this area, dry air will be pulled down the Florida Peninsula and will greatly limit impact from Matthew.
Travel along I-95 in Florida could be hazardous due to the gusty winds, rounds of blinding rain and poor-drainage area flooding.
Matthew to eye the Georgia, Carolina coasts this weekend
Farther north along the coast, from Georgia to North Carolina, similar impacts from Matthew are likely from Friday night to Sunday.
"We expect Matthew's forward speed to decrease this weekend, when a turn to the north, then the northeast and east are forecast," Kottlowski said.
Exactly where that sharp curve takes place will determine the severity of conditions along the coast and 50-100 miles inland.
Once again, with a track so close to the coast, the eye could brush some areas with hurricane-force winds as far north as southern North Carolina.

Slow movement of the storm will cause coastal flooding, dangerous surf and beach erosion.
The I-95 swath in the Carolinas and Georgia can incur enough rain to cause flash and urban flooding and significant travel delays.
Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, could experience significant flooding due to the combination of heavy rain and storm surge.
Any jog to the west by Matthew's eye could bring hurricane conditions inland from Florida to North Carolina.
Matthew's path for next week remains uncertain
The risk of Matthew directly affecting areas from Virginia to Maine later this weekend and into early next week is less likely. A weakening, non-tropical storm system will cause some showers and breezy conditions in parts of the Northeast.
The most likely scenario into next week is for the hurricane to turn out to sea for a time.
Whether or not the hurricane will keep moving away or makes a turn back toward the coast is unclear at this time.
Such a loop back is rare, but not impossible, given the weakening steering winds later this weekend through next week. Such a path would translate to long-duration rough seas, dangerous surf and beach erosion along the southeastern U.S. coast.
Usually, once a hurricane gets picked up by a non-tropical storm, it continues to push or pull it along for the duration, according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams.
"People throughout the U.S. Atlantic coast should continue to monitor the progress of Matthew due to the wide range in paths the hurricane may take next week," Abrams said.

Ronan Yarrow ·

Colaiste Iosagain, Portarlington

Dann Noe

Like · Reply · 19 mins

Gia Lynn

As a Katrina survivor, I strongly encourage residents to follow whatever advice they are given by local weather reporters. The big weather networks give broader information. The local channels are going to give outlooks for a specific area. I nearly stayed home , I don't even want to think about what would have happened if I did. If they say leave, leave. We planned to visit Orlando next week to visit the parks. Our disappointment in having to post pone is nothing compared to the anxiety and dangers the good people of Fla willface for the next few days. Be safe. !!!

Like · Reply ·

1 · 23 mins

Kirstie Mac

Gurmeet Laki

Like · Reply · 45 mins

Rachel Knepper ·

Monett, Missouri

my step daughter lives inland 25 miles in jacksonville, she does not seem worried...is she nuts ??

Like · Reply · 1 hr

Gia Lynn

She needs to pay attention. People think it will never happen here or say I've seen 5 hurricanes come through and it was fine. Every hurricane is different, people need to be aware of the dangers. Praying for the best outcome possible for Fla , GA and the Carolinas/

Like · Reply · 13 mins

Lisa Burgess

I have tickets to be in Orlando for Oct. 30, but have family there now. They are in the Sebastian area! Please Pray for everyone in Florida and anywhere the hurricane will effect them. We Are the Nation Under GOD, we Pray and help our neighbors through all that is handed to us!!
Hang strong, tough and Pray for one another! God Bless you all!!!!

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1 · 2 hrs

Marajo Ackley

What About Sarasota

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

Javier Chavez ·

EST No. 8

Sonia

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

Mer Mercedes Medina CDs ·

Presidenta at Iberia

Hemley ??

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

Marvin Kenneth Santos ·

Manila, Philippines

Melvin Guerrero take care guys, God keep you safe.

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

Jennifer Leonard ·

Pensacola, Florida

Told my husband it wasn't coming to Pensacola.

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

CarolLynne Biddle Cole

Tom Judd...which coast are you on? Hoping all is well in your part of the State

Like · Reply · 3 hrs

Sarah Sue See Kimble ·

Caston Junior - Senior High School

Cathy Bickle Drake

Like · Reply · 4 hrs

Judy Johnson Abbott

Hey Rick Scott ~ Can Florida staffers mention global warming or climate change yet???

Good luck fine people! The storm surge might be big ~ thank goodness it isn't a full moon!

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1 · 4 hrs · Edited