Gov. Rick Scott: “Time is Up, Evacuate Now If You Are in An Evacuation Zone”

Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday that “time is up” for those in evacuation zones to leave before Hurricane Matthew arrives at the South and Eastern coasts. The Category 4 hurricane is gaining strength as it barrels toward the Southeastern United States with wind speeds exceeding 110 MPH.

“Time is up. You have to evacuate now if you are in an evacuation zone,” Gov. Scott said in a statement. “To everyone on Florida’s east coast, if you are reluctant to evacuate, just think of all the people the Hurricane has already killed. You and your family could be among these numbers if you don’t take this seriously.”

Gov. Scott has also suspended tolls on several major roads, including the Florida Turnpike, Alligator Alley and roads apart of the Central Florida Expressway Authority and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority.

“Protecting lives remains our number one priority and that is why I have now activated over half of the National Guard who will play a big role in important life-saving missions,” the governor said. “I have directed them to focus on prepositioning resources, assist with helping people evacuate safely and our sheltering operations.”

Local officials told Reuters the death toll from Hurricane Matthew has risen to at least 136 in Haiti, where it passed over before heading toward Florida.

The Florida governor made clear that the time has come and if you go outside after 8:00 p.m. Thursday, you are on your own. If you choose to ride the storm out, which you should not, then have at least three days of food and water on hand. Below is a list of the evacuation zones.

CURRENT EVACUATIONS

• Brevard County: Mandatory Evacuations of Merritt Island, barrier island, low-lying areas and mobile homes.
• Broward County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for mobile homes and low lying areas.
• Clay County: Voluntary evacuations have begun.
• DeSoto County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for manufactured homes, RVs and low lying areas.
• Duval County: Voluntary evacuations have begun.
• Flagler County: Mandatory evacuations have begun.
• Indian River: Mandatory evacuations have begun for barrier islands, mobile homes, and low lying areas.
• Martin County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for barrier islands, low-lying areas, and mobile homes.
• Miami-Dade County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for mobile homes, low-lying, and unstable structures.
• Nassau County: Voluntary evacuations have begun.
• Palm Beach County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for barrier islands, mobile homes, substandard housing, flood prone areas, and those living in high rises close to the Intracoastal Waterway. Mandatory evacuations begin today.
• Johns County: Mandatory evacuation orders have begun.
• Lucie County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for barrier islands, mobile homes, and low lying areas.  Mandatory evacuations begin today.
• Volusia County: Mandatory evacuations have begun for barrier islands, low-lying areas, and mobile homes.

Floridians and visitors can go to FloridaEvacuates.com or download the Florida-Evacuates app to enter their location and see shelters available in their area. Gov. Scott and officials also wanted to stress to new Floridians who may not have experienced a storm of this magnitude, DO NOT underestimate it’s power. This is not a joke or a storm that should be taken lightly.

“I have activated another 1,000 members of the National Guard. Per my direction, there are over 2,500 National Guard members who are helping with evacuations and sheltering, and are positioned to help with response as soon as the storm hits,” he added. “We are adding more troops due to the severity and magnitude of this storm.”

The governor met with emergency management officials in Tallahassee and Stuart to discuss preparations and continued to travel the state to meet with emergency management officials. In each stop, he stressed Hurricane Matthew is a life-threatening category three storm and that the state of Florida remains under both tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings.

“Based on the current forecast, the heights of storm surge will be above ground,” the governor said. “Waves will be crashing on roofs. Homes will be destroyed. This is deadly. We have suspended tolls, doubled the amount of shelters and are making sure we keep the roads as clear as possible. There is absolutely no reason not to leave. If you chose to stay and try to ride the storm out, your life is at risk.”