Hurricane Matthew now a Category 5 storm

Published: Updated:

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Hurricane Matthew is now a Category 5 storm with winds up to 160 mph, the first in the Atlantic Ocean since Hurricane Felix in 2007.

Hurricane Matthew’s intensity could fluctuate over the weekend, when the storm is projected to move northwest, then north through the Caribbean.

The storm surge and wind will affect Jamaica and eastern Cuba. The storm could dump as many as 25 inches of rain in isolated amounts across Jamaica and southwestern Haiti, the National Hurricane Center said.

A hurricane watch has been issued for Jamaica, while a tropical storm watch is in effect for parts of Colombia, Venezuela and Haiti’s southern coast.

Meteorologists predict the storm will bring strong winds to Southwest Florida, but wind patterns should keep the hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean just east of Florida.

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