HURRICANE MATTHEW APPROACHING THE EAST FLORIDA COASTLINE. SEVERAL WCF COUNTIES ARES GROUPS ACTIVATED FOR SHELTER DUTY.
Hurricane Matthew, a very strong Category 4 hurricane is in the northwestern Bahamas and is moving northwest at 13 miles per hour and is approaching the east Florida coastline. Matthew is still forecast to approach the east Florida coastline and continue northwest and eventually turn north and then northeast around the periphery of the mid Atlantic ridge of high pressure. Matthew will basic stay very close to the east Florida and Georgia coastline before turning out into the western Atlantic. However in the last 24 hours the computer prediction models are showing an eventual turn back south and the southwest back east of Florida early to the middle of next week. This does not happen often but can happen on occasion given the right circumstances.
Hurricane Warnings remain in effect for Broward County all the way through the middle of South Carolina. Tropical Storm warning remain in effect for Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Levy Counties. Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties. Flood Warning have been issued for portions of the Peace and Myakka Rivers.
At this time the following counties in the West Central Florida Section are known to have activated ARES personnel: Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties. These counties are the nearest to the path of Hurricane Matthew. Hillsborough County ARES is in the process of providing mutual assistance to Palm Beach County ARES. A reminder that amateurs are not to self activate to do any mutual aid outside their home county. There is an established procedure for this.
All amateurs who are not already involved in shelter operations with their ARES or CERT groups, are asked to continue to monitor the latest advisories, watches, and warnings issued by the National Hurricane Center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov) and to the National Weather Service Office in Ruskin (http://www.weather.gov/tbw) for any Local Hurricane Statements or other watches or warning that may be issued. All amateur should rush any preparations to completion, check their hurricane supplies, and check their radio equipment. All ARES members in the West Central Florida Section should stay in communication with their local ARES Emergency Coordinator, All amateurs involved with CERT should be in contact with their respective leadership.
END OF SPECIAL BULLETIN
