Home News Hurricane Watch For South Florida, TS Watch for Collier

Hurricane Watch For South Florida, TS Watch for Collier

hurricane watch

hurricane watchA hurricane watch is in effect for Broward and Miami-Dade County as of 5 pm Tuesday. There is already a hurricane watch for Palm Beach county northward to the Volusia/Brevard county line. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

On the Gulf coast, a tropical storm watch is in effect for Collier County as of 5 pm Tuesday.

There is already a tropical storm watch in effect from the 7 Mile Bridge in the Keys northward to the Miami-Dade/Broward line. Tropical storm conditions are possible in those areas within 48 hours.

You can get up-to-the-minute information on Hurricane Matthew from the Weather Channel HERE

Schools have been canceled Thursday and Friday in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Miami-Dade has cancelled Wednesday evening classes but have not made a firm decision about classes on Thursday or Friday.

hurricane watchWe’re continuing to watch and prepare for Hurricane Matthew. At 5 pm Tuesday, Matthew was located near 19.8 North, 74.3 West, about 30 miles south-southwest of the eastern tip of Cuba. Matthew had maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour and was moving north at 9 miles per hour. A turn to the northwest is forecast, and the timing of this turn is crucial to Matthew’s effects on South Florida, with more of a northward path being more favorable for us.

The Bahamas, unfortunately, will be taking a direct hit from this powerful and dangerous hurricane. People there should be completing their preparations.

Here in South Florida, residents of Palm Beach County should put up shutters, because at least hurricane force gusts and sustained strong tropical storm force winds are likely. Broward residents should consider putting up shutters to be on the safe side, because a slight westward jog in Matthew’s track would bring at least hurricane force gusts. Miami-Dade residents who have accordion or roll-down shutters should close them to be on the safe side, and people who can put up traditional shutters without great effort should consider doing so. Everyone should be ready for Matthew, which means having sufficient food, water, medicine, and cash, gassing up cars, securing boats, and taking in anything from yards or balconies that could become airborne and cause damage. Weather conditions will deteriorate along the east coast late on Wednesday, with Matthew’s closest approach likely Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.

Donna Thomas has studied hurricanes for two decades. She holds a PhD in history when her experience with Hurricane Andrew ultimately led her to earn a degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University. Donna spent 15 years at WFOR-TV (CBS4 in Miami-Fort Lauderdale), where she worked as a weather producer with hurricane experts Bryan Norcross and David Bernard. She also produced hurricane specials and weather-related features and news coverage, as well as serving as pool TV producer at the National Hurricane Center during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Donna also served as a researcher on NOAA's Atlantic Hurricane Database Reanalysis Project. Donna specializes in Florida's hurricane history.