(Newswire.net — October 8, 2016) — MELBOURNE, Fla. — The category 4 hurricane that devastated the Caribbean was downgraded to cat 3 as it headed towards Melbourne, Florida. The next day it slowed to a category 2, but stil dangerous according authorities.
As Hurricane Matthew bounces off the Florida coast, endangering Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, Florida Governor Rick Scott issued a warning to his 1.5 million coastal residents urging them to evacuate.
“This storm will kill you, time has running out,” Gov. Scott said at press conference. However, many residents have decided not to leave their homes.
In Washington, President Obama declared a state of emergency in more than two dozen Florida counties as the potentially catastrophic storm approached.
“We have not seen a hurricane this strong in almost a decade,” said FEMA administrator Craig Fugate. “If instructed to evacuate, don’t wait. You can always repair and rebuild — and we’ll be here to help you do that. The most important thing you can do is keep you and your family safe.”
Many families, however, decided to fortify their homes hoping for the best. CNN reported the story of Daniel Myara who barricaded his business, Cruisin’ Cafe, with plywood and nails as the storm approached.
Many people are not familiar with what this kind of storm could do and decided to stay. Some said they are not afraid, and will greet Matthew with a “beer in hand.” However, majority took the warning seriously, listened to authorities and evacuated. Rosa Linda Román and her husband were among those who took the warnings seriously.
They drove across the state to Fort Myers on Wednesday night, away from the storm.
“You learn what’s important really fast,” Román told CNN, after her family checked into a hotel room.
“My kids are getting an early education on what matters. What matters is what’s in this hotel room right now,” she said.
Hurricane Matthew devastated the Caribbean, destroying more than 350,000 homes, and killing more than 800 people.