Most Powerful Storm in a Decade Threatens East Coast, Largest Evacuation Since Sandy

Nearly 2 million people have been urged to evacuate along the East Coast and more than 12 million are under hurricane watch or warning, after Hurricane Matthew strengthened overnight with winds reaching 125 mph.

The official NHC forecast for Matthew as of 5 pm EDT Wednesday, October 5, 2016.WunderBlog

The storm is forecast to impact Florida today, possibly as a Category 4 storm. If it makes landfall, it would be the most powerful storm since Hurricane Wilma in 2005 to do so, and could cause as much as $15 billion in economic disruption.

Is #ClimateChange to Blame for More Intense #Hurricanes & #Typhoons? https://t.co/WaSDbxme0X @ClimateReality @algore pic.twitter.com/EkTailZ6LG

— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) February 17, 2016

This morning, the National Hurricane Center warned of “life-threatening inundation during the next 36 hours along the Florida east coast and Georgia coast.”

Matthew has caused at least 26 deaths across the Caribbean.

Complete destruction in Baracoa, Cuba from a combination of extreme wind and storm surge. Sad situation here. #HurricaneMatthew pic.twitter.com/JgUtW0vGjf

— Mike Theiss (@MikeTheiss) October 5, 2016

For a deeper dive:

News: NBC, CNN, BBC, USA Today, Fox News, Reuters, New York Times $, AP, NPR, Climate Central, Mashable.

Commentary:AP, Seth Borenstein Q&A; ThinkProgress, Joe Romm column; Forbes, Marshall Shepherd column; Grist, Scott Dodd column; New York Times, John Schwartz Q&A $; Discover Magazine, Tom Yulsman column; Pacific Standard, Eric Holthaus op-ed; Miami Herald editorial.

Background: Climate Signals

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