ABC News(NEW YORK) — Hurricane Matthew inched its way toward several Caribbean countries on Monday, churning northwest at just 5 mph over the warm waters of the Caribbean with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.
The category 4 storm is expected to approach Jamaica and southwestern Haiti by Monday night, where the worst of the storm is expected to be felt. But Matthew was already bringing heavy rain, dangerous ocean conditions and flooding to the region.
#Matthew 15-25″ rain S. Haiti & SW Dominican. Republic – possible isolated 40″. 7-10′ storm surge S coast of Haiti. https://t.co/T8bABTBWV8 pic.twitter.com/9BvRFWLzT9
— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) October 3, 2016
Schools in Haiti will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Government officials there are urging residents in landslide prone areas to heed possible evacuation and preparation orders. The U.S. State Dept. ordered embassy personnel in Porte-Au-Prince, Haiti to shelter in place. State Dept. officials advise all American citizens in the country to also shelter in place.
In Jamaica, government officials are making a “strong appeal” for residents in flood prone areas to evacuate.
Hurricane Warnings are in effect for Jamaica, Haiti, parts of Cuba, and the southeastern portion of the Bahamas. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for parts of Cuba, Turks and Caicos and the central Bahamas. Tropical Storm warnings and watches have been issued for parts of the Dominican Republic.
“The greatest concern is the widespread threat of catastrophic, life change flash flooding,” said ABC News meteorologist Daniel Manzo.
Matthew is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 15 to 25 inches across southern Haiti and the southwestern portion of the Dominican Republic, with possible isolated amounts of 40 inches, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
“This will likely produce life threatening flash flooding and mudslides in a region that does not have the infrastructure to deal with it,” Manzo warned.
Storm surge could be as high as 15 feet in the Bahamas and up to 11 feet in Haiti. Waves and rip currents will create life threatening ocean conditions throughout the region.
The last Hurricane to make landfall in Haiti was Hurricane Gustav, a Category 1 storm in 2008.
At this time, it is too early to tell whether the East Coast of the United States will be affected.
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