From Hermine to Matthew: Here’s What to Expect from this Category Four Storm

Another hurricane is on its way. What’s the worst that could happen? Could it be worse than Hermine? Everyone is going crazy with the fact that Matthew, a category four hurricane with winds of 115 mph, is going to hit South Florida on Thursday and part of Georgia, North and South Carolina by Friday. Everyone in the South Florida area is preparing accordingly. They’re putting up shutters, buying canned food, water, batteries, flashlights, and filling up their gas tanks because no one really knows what kind of harm Matthew can cause. Luckily, Florida has not had any gas supply shortages as the governor, Rick Scott, said, “ We have heard of some individual stations being short, but in no area in state have we had any shortages of fuel.”

Hurricane Matthew has the potential to cause serious damage to the east coast of Florida as early as Thursday morning. The weather forecasters are predicting that the storm will probably go east away from the coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. It is predicted that it could cause massive devastation, similar to Hurricane Andrew in 1992.  The storm has already killed several people in the Caribbean and could possibly have a devastating effect on the other states it may hit.

Miami-Dade County and several other school districts have announced that they will be closed from Wednesday evening until Friday. Governors have warned about evacuations and massive power outages throughout the state. Police in South Carolina have ordered evacuations for the coastal counties because it may hit the hardest there and over 30 schools and offices have been closed on Wednesday due to the severe storm. Turnpikes and interstate lanes have been filled with traffic traveling north because of the massive evacuations.

The entire state of Florida is in a state of emergency, but thankfully Tallahassee shouldn’t have any storm impact. If Matthew stays on the current course, then Tallahassee shouldn’t be worried about any devastating impacts; if anything a couple of showers and winds 15 to 20 mph on Friday, and if Matthew changes its course closer to the western side of Florida, a tropical storm warning with winds of 30 to 50 mph will be announced.

But, meteorologists and newscasters are not taking Matthew lightly. After the devastating impact of category 1 hurricane Hermine, which brought 60 mph winds and power outages for days in Tallahassee, meteorologists are keeping a close eye on it.

Leon County is providing shelter and assistance for residents evacuating from the storm. Tallahassee has been preparing for the future devastating impacts Matthew could cause and are sending utility crews to help out with electricity and gas for those being affected throughout the state. If you’re in or near South Florida this weekend for the UM game, make sure you stay safe!