Hurricane Matthew: 9:40pm CDT Monday

Here are some thoughts on Matthew at late evening.

If anything, Matthew is stronger / better organized since my last update. It is moving NNE and will bring catastrophic effects to Haiti and serious effects to the Dominican Republic.

I suspect the Hurricane Center will move its forecast path a bit farther to the west in its 10pm advisory.

There is no new global model data since my last but my thinking is pretty much the same. My preliminary landfall forecast is the purple highlighted coast. It could change.

If you live in this area, I suggest the following:

Make sure I have plenty of cash. Credit cards and ATMs do not work if there is no power.

Fill up autos and other vehicles with gas. Again, gas pumps do not work without power.

If you have a generator, fill it with fuel.

Make provisions for infirm relatives.

Keep cell phones, laptops, and other electrical appliances fully charged. 

If you don't have a generator, get an inverter which can recharge small items (cells phones, laptops) from your auto.

Make sure prescriptions are filled.

What would you do if you were without electricity for two weeks? Make plans accordingly. 

These are inexpensive preparations. While I'll have more if I can narrow the path and improve confidence, you may want to begin with these before the stores, etc., get crowded. 

I can't post a schedule for the morning because there is a more immediate threat of tornadoes in the Great Plains that I will also be posting about.