Hurricane Matthew tears up America's Atlantic coast
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After killing hundreds of people in Haiti, Hurricane Matthew has been sweeping up America’s Atlantic coast.
Winds of nearly 200 kilometres an hour were recorded – but the storm did not make landfall in Florida and has been downgraded to Category Two.
There has been flooding along with warnings that storm surges could kill people and damage property.
Life-threatening flooding imminent in Savannah, GA, and Charleston, SC. High tides around 1 a.m.: https://t.co/JJGBUhZUtI#HurricaneMatthewpic.twitter.com/OlkEX3qZA8
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 8, 2016
Matthew smashed through Haiti on Tuesday before tearing across the Caribbean, threatening Florida and several other US states.
Late on Friday local time the storm’s eye was out to sea off South Carolina and was expected to approach the state on Saturday.
Wow – Hurricane Matthew completely uprooting a tree in Jacksonville, FL!#HurricaneMatthew
— Sam Ghali (@EM_RESUS) October 7, 2016
pic.twitter.com/uFKxIRqsCI
The fiercest cyclone to hit the States for four years prompted mass evacuations along the coast. Some 60,000 were in emergency shelters.
More than a million homes and businesses were without power late on Friday across several states. The cuts were not as bad as had been forecast.
New flood warnings have been issued though the storm is predicted to lose strength over the next two days.
Officials said at least four people had died in Florida – a fraction of the heavy death toll in Haiti.
President Obama urged people not to be complacent and to heed safety instructions.
Resourceful stork hides from Hurricane Matthew in zoo bathroom https://t.co/xytw6QabVlpic.twitter.com/N3nFCbDSLh
— Mashable (@mashable) October 8, 2016