5pm UPDATE: Matthew begins to batter Bahamas

SEVERE HURRICANE MATTHEW ON ITS WAY TO THE BAHAMAS AND FLORIDA

FIVE DAY CONE. (WeatherUndergound)

At 500 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located

near latitude 22.5 North, longitude 75.7 West. Matthew is moving
toward the northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this motion is
expected to continue during the next 24 to 48 hours. On this track,
Matthew will be moving across the Bahamas tonight and tomorrow,
and is expected to be very near the east coast of Florida by
tomorrow night.

Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and
Matthew is expected to remain at category 3 or stronger while it
moves through the Bahamas and approaches the east coast of
Florida.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles
(280 km).  Ragged Island in the Bahamas recently reported sustained
winds of 58 mph (93 km/h), and a minimum pressure of 985 mb (29.09
inches).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 963 mb (28.44 inches).
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Southeastern Bahamas, including the Inaguas, Mayaguana, Acklins,
Crooked Island, Long Cay, and Ragged Island
* Central Bahamas, including Long Island, Exuma, Rum Cay,
San Salvador, and Cat Island
* Northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island,
Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and
New Providence
* North of Golden Beach to the Flagler/Volusia county line
* Lake Okeechobee

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* North of the Flagler/Volusia county line to Savannah River

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Chokoloskee to Golden Beach
* Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge eastward
* Florida Bay

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* North of Chokoloskee to Suwannee River

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.  A watch is typically issued 48 hours
before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and
in the Carolinas should monitor the progress of Matthew.