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Hurricane Matthew is approaching St. Johns County and should be near the county around 2 p.m. Friday.
The whole coast of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia are under a hurricane warning because of the Category 3 storm with winds at 120 mph.
All arrivals and departures at Jacksonville International Airport are canceled, Jacksonville officials said early Friday morning. Flights could resume at the airport on Saturday.
UPDATE: All arrivals and departures for @JAXairport are cancelled for Friday, Oct. 7, per @CityofJax. Contact your airline for flight status
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) October 7, 2016
Evacuation zone maps, emergency links for Hurricane Matthew
1:00pm check of First Alert Doppler HD. #HurricaneMatthew is upon us. Eye to stay just off shore. pic.twitter.com/HW0yKXr0qL
— Garrett Bedenbaugh (@wxgarrett) October 7, 2016
Talking the Tropics With Mike Buresh: Powerful "Matthew" headed for Florida
Experts say Matthew could be a once-in-a-generation hurricane for the area.
Matthew's track shifted slightly to the east on Thursday. The storm is moving northwest at 12 miles per hour.
The National Hurricane Center is forecasting storm surge, extreme winds and heavy rain along a large portion of Florida's east coast.
Photos: Jacksonville area braces for Hurricane Matthew
Mandatory evacuations in Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Camden and Glynn counties were underway on Thursday.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said as of Thursday night, people should stay at home and shelter in place.
Local impacts expected to include:
- Sustained high winds along the coast with gusts up to hurricane force (74 mph+)
- Extremely rough seas and surf
- Life-threatening rip currents
- Beach erosion
- Coastal flooding
Rain and higher than average tides along with breaking waves may lead to flooding along the coast and even inland along the St. Johns River.
The First Alert Weather Team is live with updates on Hurricane Matthew. Stay updated with the First Alert Hurricane Center, Talking the Tropics with Mike and watch Action News Jax.
Cox Media Group
