Here’s my play-by-play as Hurricane Matthew approaches Florida

ORLANDO, FL—

3:09 PM Saturday, October 1, 2016- As of this morning, Hurricane Matthew weakened a bit, from a ferocious Category 5 (sustained winds of 157+ mph) to a still-extremely-dangerous Category 4 (sustained winds 130-156 mph). It’s taking its time before accosting Jamaica and Haiti, on a forecast course almost directly north.

No matter. I have my three-days’ worth of supplies: a complete first aid kit; prescription and over-the-counter medicines; battery-operated radio; flashlights; extra batteries for everything; phone plugged in at all times, unless necessary to disconnect; three gallons of drinking water (one per person per day); non-perishable food for at least three days; manual can opener; evacuation kit with rain gear, extra clothing, sleeping bag, and a note with written instructions for utility workers, should they need to shut off gas, electricity, or water.

Check and check. I’ve taken an inventory of all of it, and I’m ready for any eventuality.

11:16 PM, Saturday, October 1, 2016- Accuweather.com has just posted an update relaying a message from their hurricane experts: The Atlantic Coast of the U.S. needs to be on alert for possible impacts from Hurricane Matthew in the coming week. We’ll see what the morning brings as far as further updates.

10:10 AM, Sunday, October 2, 2016- Harrowing news for Haiti. Weather.com (The Weather Channel) is warning of a catastrophic impact against the island nation by Hurricane Matthew late Monday. Matthew remains a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 145 mph.

Meanwhile, flooding and surf impacts are “a certainty” for coastal areas of the U.S. later this week, says the site. The intensity of possible wind strikes in America, if any, is as yet unknown.

7:21 AM, Monday, October 3, 2016- All published forecast tracks for Hurricane Matthew have it on a northern course, passing just east of the Florida peninsula and east of the Atlantic Coast states, with the only U.S. landfall predicted so far around Hatteras, North Carolina.

Haiti, and eastern parts of Jamaica and Cuba are bracing for a direct hit from Matthew, with winds up to 145 mph. We can expect catastrophe and humanitarian crisis on one or more of these islands.

6:59 PM Monday, October 3, 2016- The Hurricane Matthew picture is becoming a bit clearer, as forecasters are now confident that Cuba and the Bahamas are next in the storm’s path. Most experts have the Category 4 storm skirting the east coast of Florida on Thursday, with impacts mainly to beaches, where erosion is of great concern.

Unless Matthew takes an unexpected sharp, westwardly turn late Thursday or early Friday, Central Florida and my town of Orlando will likely be spared. This time – and I’m going to continue following this one, just in case!

My upcoming novel, ULTIMATE ERROR, is about the massive catastrophes human beings can cause. The massive storms caused by global warming are directly linked to the greed of carbon polluters. At this rate, we will be removed from the Earth forever in favor of less harmful species and for the benefit of the planet itself.