The CEO of Port Canaveral has issued a mandatory evacuation order, effectively closing down all port operations as Hurricane Matthew inches its way north toward Florida.
John Murray issued the order to evacuate by noon on Wednesday for all landside operations and the US Coastguard said no vessel traffic including cruise ships will now be allowed into the port until the storm passes.
"This is a serious storm and the protection of people and property is our primary concern. We expect high winds and storm surge throughout the port and have urged the Port community to prepare their facilities so business can resume as quickly as possible after the storm," Murray said.
It is the first time Port Canaveral has been forced to shut down operations since 2004.
A mandatory evacuation of Brevard County’s Barrier Islands will also begin later today.
"Don’t take a chance. Leave before it’s too late. We have to be prepared to be hit by a catastrophic hurricane," Florida governor Rick Scott said.
Further north, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley plans to issue an evacuation order for up to one million people along the coast.
