It appears Hurricane Matthew is unlikely to pose much of a threat to Canada’s East Coast. However, it’s a different story elsewhere. On its way toward Florida, the storm has damaged homes and farms throughout southwest Haiti, killing at least five people. The Canadian Hurricane Centre says the powerful, slow-moving storm is now expected to veer off into the Atlantic Ocean after speeding along the coast of Florida and may double back for another run at the state. Earlier models had suggested the hurricane could slam into the Maritimes late on the holiday weekend, prompting marinas and ports to begin securing boats and cargo. But the centre now says Matthew’s slow pace has prevented it from hitching a ride with steering currents in the atmosphere.That means the storm isn’t expected to come anywhere near the Atlantic region.

The governor of Florida says the state could be facing its “biggest evacuation ever” because Matthew is threatening almost the entire Atlantic coast of the state. Governor Rick Scott says if there’s a mandatory evacuation, people really need to leave their homes immediately. Forecasters says Florida hasn’t been hit by a storm this powerful in more than a decade. U-S President Barack Obama says Americans should hope for the best but prepare for the worst as Hurricane Matthew barrels toward the Florida coast. Matthew is pounding the southern Bahamas with heavy rain and storm surge. It’s expected to track near the capital city of Nassau then hit or come dangerously close to Florida late tomorrow or early Friday. About 150-thousand South Florida residents who live in low-lying areas, mobile homes or along the coastline are being asked to evacuate before Matthew approaches.