Today’s situation report at noon for Historic City News readers from Kelly Wilson in the office of St. Johns County Emergency Management. The next Situation Report will be issued tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. unless conditions dictate an earlier report.

Hurricane Matthew is a dangerous category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph. Its current location is ABOUT 55 miles NNE OF CABO LUCRECIA CUBA. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Matthew is expected to remain at category 3 or stronger while it moves through the Bahamas and approaches the east coast of Florida.

On this track, Matthew will be moving across the Bahamas through Thursday, and is expected to be very near the east coast of Florida by Thursday evening.

Potential Local Impacts:

• Life threatening storm surge is possible.

• Large and destructive surf.

• Tropical Storm conditions possibly beginning Friday morning for northeast Florida coastal areas.

• Building rough surf, leading to significant beach erosion.

• Dangerous rip currents

• Waves of locally heavy rainfall will also be possible, outside of Hurricane Matthew Wednesday and Thursday.

• The greatest impacts from the storm will be along the coast

Potential Local Impacts if the track shifts farther west (left) of current track:

• Coastal flooding and heavy rainfall.

• Damaging winds.

St. Johns County has been placed in the 3-day forecast cone by the National Hurricane Center.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for St. Johns County.

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Today – Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a northeast wind 13 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight – Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Windy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

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Thursday – Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 83. Windy, with a northeast wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday Night – Tropical storm conditions possible, with hurricane conditions also possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 77. Northeast wind 19 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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