Hurricane Matthew 'Causes Devastation' Along Florida's Coast, 5 Dead, 1.1 Million Without Power

TAMPA, FL — As the sun prepared to set Friday, Hurricane Matthew left 1.1 million without power and in the dark after a day of running up the Florida coastline, toppling trees and large roadside signs and turning coastal roadways into rivers. The storm killed at least five Floridians, adding to a death toll that has topped more than 840 in Haiti. More tragedy is possible as the storm sets a path charging up the Florida coastline toward Georgia and into South Carolina. For updates on the storm's path and potential impacts, sign up for Patch news alerts.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott warned residents along the state's northeast coast that Matthew could deliver more torrential rains to the region. "Matthew is expected to produce 8-12 inches of rain and even 15 inches in some areas," Scott tweeted. "This may result in flooding and flash flooding. Stay inside."

Images of a beach littered with the remains of a destroyed pier were shared by local law enforcement in St. Lucie County. Downed power poles landed atop cars, and trees split, uprooted and crashed to the ground.

St. Lucie reportedly had three fatalities attributed to Hurricane Matthew, first when a woman suffered a medical emergency during the worst of the storm and couldn't be reached. Two others reportedly died of carbon monoxide poisoning after using a generator in a garage.

In the afternoon, Volusia County reported a woman was killed after going to feed animals outside during a lull in the storm. She was struck by a falling tree, according to County Manager Jim Dinneen. The county had 240,000 without power late Friday afternoon, posing a continued threat, even after the storm had passed. "You have a lot of opportunity for people to get hurt by downed power lines," Dinneen said.

A woman died later in the afternoon in the Crescent City area when a tree fell on the camper trailer where she was attempting to ride out the storm, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. A man in the trailer suffered minor injuries.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center reported Matthew had left devastation in its wake along Florida's northeast coast.

Matthew's sustained winds were at 110 mph as of 5 p.m. Friday. The Category 2 storm was skirting the Sunshine State, running more or less parallel to the coastline, according to the National Hurricane Center. Matthew was located about 40 miles east of Jacksonville Beach Friday evening, moving north at 12 mph.

Storm surge remained a strong concern in Florida as Matthew continues to devastate the state. The hurricane center anticipates water could reach 6 to 9 feet in Flagler Beach if peak storm surge occurs with high tide. In Cocoa Beach, the impact could range from 4 to 6 feet.

Matthew’s track shifted to the east in the early morning hours Friday. On its current projected path, Matthew is expected to tear into Georgia Friday evening before moving on to South Carolina and North Carolina over the weekend. The storm is expected to remain a hurricane until it pulls away from the United States on Sunday. Current forecast models indicate the storm could swoop back south and take another swipe at Florida sometime later next week.

Hurricane-force winds were extending outward from the center by 60 miles as of Friday evening. Tropical storm-force winds extended out 185 miles.

As Matthew continues its trek past Florida, hurricane warnings remain in place along portions of the east coast north into North Carolina. Watches and warnings for Florida's west coast have been discontinued. Warnings mean conditions are likely within a designated area. Watches mean conditions are possible.

Matthew has been blamed for 842 deaths in Haiti, according to Reuters.

Scott reported Friday afternoon that more than 1 million customers were without power in Florida.

An estimated 1.5 million Sunshine State residents were under evacuation orders prior to Matthew's arrival. As of Friday morning, the state reported that more than 145 shelters had opened up from coast to coast. An estimated 22,360 people took advantage of those shelters overnight Thursday.

Meanwhile, Nicole was downgraded to a tropical storm by 11 a.m. Friday. She remained in a nearly stationary position about 335 miles south of Bermuda Friday morning. Nicole was packing maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. The system was stationary as of 11 a.m.

On her present projected path, Nicole is expected to more or less spin in a circle over the next few days. Forecasters say she poses no immediate threat to land on her current track.

The rise of activity in the tropics comes at the peak of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters at the hurricane center say the eight-week period that begins in mid-August and runs through mid-October is a “season within the season.” This eight-week period “is often the most active and dangerous time for tropical cyclone activity,” NOAA explained on its website.

The eight-week period is historically responsible for major spikes in tropical weather activity, NOAA said. In fact, it accounts for about 78 percent of all tropical storm days on record. It is also the period when 87 percent of the Category 1 and 2 hurricane days on record occurred. In addition, this period is responsible for “a whopping 96 percent of the major (category 3, 4 and 5) hurricane days.”

Tampa Bay hasn’t been struck by a hurricane in more than 90 years. Even so, it’s had some close calls this year. Most recently, Hurricane Hermine left flooding woes in her wake as she passed by on her way to the Panhandle. Experts say the region's lucky streak isn’t likely to last. It’s not a question of if, but when, forecasters say.

To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation, read these related Patch stories:

• Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season’s Peak is Now
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
• Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
• 2016 Hurricane Names: Is Yours On the List?
• Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say

To keep up with storm activity as the season develops, bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s website, and keep an eye on your hometown Patch site for local information.

Graphics courtesy of NOAA