Matthew downgraded, heads out to Atlantic: U.S. death toll rises to at least 17 across four states
Hurricane Matthew is no more. The storm system that ravaged the Caribbean and eastern U.S. seaboard was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone around 5 a.m. ET Sunday and is now out over the Atlantic. Matthew is being blamed for at least 17 deaths in the U.S. according to national media reports, including at least three here in Georgia.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency announced today that Gov. Nathan Deal is lifting the mandatory evacuation order for the mainland of six coastal counties including Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh. The evacuation order will be rescinded effective 5 p.m. Sunday. The barrier islands, meanwhile, remain under a mandatory evacuation.
I-16 eastbound in Georgia reopened at 3 p.m. Sunday but, according to GEMA, local officials may still impose restrictions on re-entry and residents and business owners seeking to return “should check to ensure they meet all local restrictions.”
In a statement on its website GEMA writes: “Residents should also be aware that many areas lack critical life-sustaining services and infrastructure. Those chosing to return at this time may not have power, water or sewage services, and many roads remain inaccessible.”
Clearing roads and debris along the Georgia coast
Georgia DOT crews returned to work zones across the impacted areas of the coast earlier this morning. The focus continues to be on clearing debris and downed trees from the roads to enable full re-entry of displaced citizens.
“Our work crews were able to get a little rest overnight and are prepared to continue the job of making Georgia’s roads and bridges safe for passage by motorists,” says GDOT Southeastern District Engineer Brad Saxon. “We were able to make significant process yesterday, and we hope to be able to have all of our routes passable by the end of today for full use by first responder teams.”
Overall, current conditions in the most impacted counties still include widespread power outages with some municipalities reporting issues with the public water systems, lack of emergency response personnel and flooded areas.
Flooding continues in the Carolinas
At least one storm-related death has been reported in South Carolina; seven in North Carolina.
As of mid-afternoon Sunday, record-breaking flooding continued in the eastern part of the state as bands of heavy rain fell. The National Hurricane Center warns of potentially life-threatening flooding and flash flooding elsewhere in the region.
President Obama signed major disaster declarations, which provide more federal money and resources than emergency declarations, for Florida and Georgia on Sunday morning.
MORE: How to Help Matthew’s Victims
Some 2 million customers remain without power in the Southeast following the impacts of Hurricane Matthew.
Florida tourism springs back to life
South of the state line in Florida where at least six people died, popular tourist destinations are springing back to life. Disney and Universal reopened their theme parks in Orlando on Saturday and Daytona is working to keep one of it’s biggest annual events alive.
More than 100,000 bikers are scheduled to converge on Daytona October 13th for Biketoberfest. According to the Washington Post, Daytona sustained a lot of superficial damage from Hurricane Matthew. Business owners and city officials are now working at a “breakneck pace” to convince tourists not to cancel their plans.
