By HENRY FREDERICKDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Powerful Hurricane Matthew is forecast to move northwest through the lower Bahamas this afternoon, then take aim on East Central Florida and approach the coast, passing very close to greater By Daytona Beach's coastline coastline Thursday night and Friday.
A hurricane watch is in effect for Volusia County. Hurricane Matthew could still experience another track shift even closer to the coast; a glancing landfall cannot be ruled out at time.
"The wind threat from Matthew to East Central Florida is extreme," Shelley Szafraniec, a Volusia County community information specialist told Headline Surfer. "There is a potential for considerable and extensive wind impacts, with a chance for local devastating impacts within major hurricane wind gusts," she stressed.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Melbourne advised Volusia County authorities that hurricane winds are forecast to overspread coastal counties around the west side of the circulation and reach inland. A high wind threat also exists farther inland with the potential of hurricane force winds.
Strong tropical storm force winds and higher gusts are possible as far inland as Lake County. There is a moderate threat for peak storm surge flooding of three to five feet above ground level. Preparations should factor in peak rainfall amounts of 8 to 10 inches.
"The wind threat from Matthew to East Central Florida is extreme," Shelley Szafraniec, a Volusia County community information specialist told Headline Surfer. "There is a
potential for considerable and extensive wind impacts, with a chance for local devastating impacts within major hurricane wind gusts," she stressed.
Meteorologists
with the National Weather Service in Melbourne advised Volusia County authorities that hurricane winds are forecast to overspread coastal counties around the west side of the circulation and reach inland.
A high wind threat also exists farther inland with the potential of hurricane force winds.
Strong tropical storm force winds and higher gusts are possible as far inland as Lake County. There is a moderate threat for peak storm surge flooding of three to five feet above ground level. Preparations should factor in peak rainfall amounts of 8 to 10 inches.
Beachside residents 'need to evacuate' & bridges will be locked down at sunset Thursday
Those living on the barrier islands and low-lying areas in VolusiaCounty need to evacuate in preparation of Hurricane Matthew.
The bridges from the mainland to the beachside will be locked down at sundown Thursday in preparation of tropical storm force winds that are expected to arrive in Volusia County that evening. Deputies from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office will be staged at bridges to prevent access and barricades will also be in place. Residents are advised that emergency crews cannot respond once sustained tropical force winds are in Volusia County.
Public shelters
Public shelters in Volusia County will open at 8 a.m. Thursday. A list of shelter locations will be announced before the shelters open.
Votran public transportation
Thursday morning at 8 a.m., all Votran bus stops will become evacuation collection sites to take evacuees to a transfer point, where they will board school buses for transportation to a shelter. No fares are charged during an evacuation or return. Votran Gold passengers should be prepared to cancel any non-essential trips scheduled for Thursday and Friday. All Votran vehicles will be removed from roads when winds are sustained at 35mph. Service will resume as soon as possible once Hurricane Matthew clears the area.
Contact information
The Volusia County Citizens Information Center (CIC) is open and can be reached at 866-345-0345. The CIC will remain open until 7 p.m. Wednesday. It will open at 8 a.m. Thursday and remain open until conditions improve.
Sandbags
Sandbags are available at various locations. Sandbag locations will continue to be posted to Volusia.org/PIN
Schools
Volusia County Schools and higher education institution will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Volusia County Government
Thursday’s Volusia County Council meeting has been canceled. County government offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Editor's Note
Headline Surfer is monitoring breaking news developments for Hurricane Matthew from its home in Sanford and is in regular contact with officials in Volusia, Seminole and Orange counties.