Comparing Hurricane Matthew to track of Hurricane Floyd in 1999

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hurricane Matthew is approaching Florida, and many are comparing it to Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

Hurricane Floyd didn’t have a direct hit, but the storm washed away the old Jacksonville Beach Pier.

“You take look this storm coming up the coast. It kind of acts like Floyd did, and Floyd messed this place up pretty good,” said Charles Miller, pier employee.

Miller has lived in the area since 1953. He remembers seeing Hurricane Floyd destroy the old Jacksonville Beach pier.

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"It was originally 1,200 foot, and it took a lot off of it. And it almost demolished the whole pier," Miller said.

The pier was rebuilt 12 years ago. Engineers outfitted it with concrete and the boards in the middle are designed to give, if needed to preserve the pier.

Floyd prompted the third largest evacuation in U.S. history, with more than a million Floridians evacuating.

Looking at the most recent projected path for Hurricane Matthew from just the last hour, it’s easy to see the similarities so far.

Time will tell how Hurricane Matthew’s track will closely compare to that of Floyd’s.

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