Hurricane Matthew (2016)

Basin

North Atlantic

Dates

September 28, 2016 to October 10, 2016

Peak strength

Category 5, 145 kt (167 mph)

Lowest pressure

934 mb (27.58 inHg)

Landfall

Yes

Accumulated cyclone energy

50.9

Tropical-storm-force wind reached

210 nmi (389 km, 242 mi) from the center at its widest

Hurricane-force wind reached

60 nmi (111 km, 69 mi) from the center at its widest

Eyewall radius at its peak

5 nmi (9 km, 6 mi)

Overall size

300 nmi (556 km, 345 mi) to the outermost closed isobar

Peak gust in the best track

170 kt (196 mph)

Fastest the center moved

15 kt (17 mph)

Identifier

AL142016

Radar at KLTX as it neared land, Oct 8, 15:00 UTC

The sources count different things and are not added together.

Landfall points the US agencies flagged in the best track. The nearest town is named from the site’s gazetteer, not from the report.

NOAA’s Storm Events database, the record National Weather Service offices compile months after a storm, as compiled March 2026.

Deaths

48 (33 direct, 15 indirect)

Injuries

7

Property damage

$3.9 billion

Crop damage

$174 million

Events recorded

592 in 42 reports from 14 states and marine areas

State by state

What was recorded

189 flash flood, 116 tropical storm, 72 heavy rain, 66 flood, 39 strong wind, 36 high wind, 23 hurricane (typhoon), 14 coastal flood, 12 tropical depression, 10 storm surge/tide, 6 marine hurricane/typhoon, 4 high surf, 3 marine thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado.

2 tornadoes recorded in the United States, strongest first.

The Weather Prediction Center attributes 4,279 rain gauge totals over the contiguous United States to this storm. The wettest reached 18.95 inches (481 mm).

WPC’s storm rainfall file, 1900 to 2020, compiled by David Roth.

The strongest winds National Weather Service offices recorded with this storm. An estimated figure is a forecaster’s judgment from the damage, not an instrument reading.

From the Storm Events narratives, unedited.

One building was severely damaged and considered a loss at Auction Road and Pete Ave in Waynesville. Several trees were blown down on homes in Nahunta, Atkinson and Waynesville. The tin roof of the recreation department ball fields on John Wilson Street in Nahunta was damaged. Damage to the breezeway of Hoboken Elementary occurred. Over 6000 people were without power across the county. Major road damage occurred to 20 roads in Waynesville and Atkinson. Over 100 trees were blown down in Nahunta, Atkinson and Waynesville. There were also some trees down in the Hoboken and Calvary fire districts. Storm total 48 hour rainfall included 6.29 inches 4 miles ESE of Hickox and 5.10 inches 6 miles NE of Nahunta.

Brantley, Georgia · Tropical Storm · Oct 6, 12:00 UTC

Hurricane Matthew produced maximum sustained winds generally between 20 and 30 knots (25 and 35 mph) across coastal Miami-Dade County throughout the morning and afternoon hours of October 6th. A peak gust of 38 knots (44 mph) was measured at WxFlow site XDGE, located near Dodge Island and the Port of Miami during the late morning hours, with other parts of the area measuring peak wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph. These winds produced a few downed trees across the county resulting in over 16,000 customers without power across the county at the peak of the event. Voluntary evacuations were ordered for residents in low-lying areas and mobile homes, and a total of 700 people took shelter in county shelters during the event. Wind damages were estimated at $600,000 and beach-related damages also estimated around $600,000 across the county.

Coastal Miami-Dade County, Florida · Tropical Depression · Oct 6, 14:00 UTC

Category 3 Hurricane Matthew moved northwest across the offshore waters, approximately 25 miles east of the coast, from early evening on October 6 through early evening on October 7. At 0220LST on October 7, Buoy 41009, located 26 miles east-northeast of Port Canaveral reported sustained winds of 57 knots from the northeast with gusts to 69 knots, and seas of 30 feet. This was the last observation before the buoy stopped reporting data. At that time, the center of Hurricane Matthew was located approximately 60 miles to the south-southeast of the buoy. The lowest pressure measured by the buoy prior to the data failure was 975.4 millibars. Seas likely peaked in the 30 to 40 foot range as the hurricane passed.

Volusia-Brevard County Line To Sebastian Inlet 20-60nm, Atlantic South · Marine Hurricane/Typhoon · Oct 6, 23:00 UTC

Category 3 Hurricane Matthew moved northwest across the coastal waters, approximately 25 miles offshore, from the early evening of October 6 through the early evening of October 7. USAF wind tower 0403 located on the barrier island, 3 miles north of Port Canaveral, measured sustained winds of 48 knots from the northwest at 0550LST October 7 and a maximum gust of 75 knots from the north at 0520LST. Category 1-2 winds likely occurred over the nearshore coastal waters, with category 3 winds a little farther offshore. Seas likely peaked in the 30 to 40 foot range as the hurricane passed.

Volusia-Brevard County Line To Sebastian Inlet 0-20nm, Atlantic South · Marine Hurricane/Typhoon · Oct 6, 23:00 UTC

As Hurricane Matthew passed offshore, excessive water levels, wave run-up, and large breaking waves led to major beach erosion, extensive escarpment of dunes and destruction of pedestrian crossovers along the entire coastline. In Ormond-by-the-Sea, surging waters eroded much of the protective barrier along Highway A1A and led to the collapse of several sections of the highway. A NWS survey estimated a storm surge of between 4 and 6 feet above ground level along the immediate shoreline, with the greatest inundation across northern portions of the county. Water level rises along the Halifax River were estimated between 2 and 3 feet and between 1 and 2 feet along the Mosquito Lagoon due to wind-driven water and wave piling. Beach erosion damage estimates from the county were not provided.

Volusia, Florida · Storm Surge/Tide · Oct 7, 02:00 UTC

A spotter reported damage caused by surge associated with Hurricane Matthew on St. Catherines Island. Surge produced significant beach erosion as described by evidence of sand transported by wash over and through fans in numerous locations. Dunes were breached in multiple locations and were washed out or destroyed in some areas. Evidence of salt water inundation was noted along the St. Catherines Sound Margin. Some creeks were at least partially flooded by transported sand. In some areas erosion was exacerbated by return flow from flooded areas behind the dune line. Sea turtle nesting habitat was reduced by an estimated 11 percent. St. Catherines Island lost at least 3 docks, but there was only minor damage to homes on the mainland property.

Coastal Liberty, Georgia · Storm Surge/Tide · Oct 7, 12:00 UTC

Hurricane Matthew moved up the eastern seaboard, bringing very heavy rain and strong winds. Rainfall amounts were high, with over 13 inches reported northwest of Kingstree, with many areas over 10 inches. Tropical storm force winds and flooded ground caused widespread tree and power line damage. There was major river flooding however along the Black River at Kingstree. Water rescues were needed in this area. Numerous roads were flooded and were impacted by washouts. An emergency shelter in Kingstree was forced to close due to rats escaping from the flooding. More than 2150 homes sustained some damage and of these, 160 homes were destroyed or sustained major damage. Twenty-eight roads and four bridges were damaged. Williamsburg County Emergency Management estimated the damage at around 5 million dollars.

Williamsburg, South Carolina · Hurricane (Typhoon) · Oct 8, 09:00 UTC

Hurricane Matthew moved up the eastern seaboard, bringing very heavy rain and strong winds. Rainfall amounts in Bladen County were prodigious. Many areas had over a foot of rain, with 18.38 inches recorded northwest of Elizabethtown. Turnbull Creek measured a maximum wind of 39 mph. Tropical storm force winds and flooded ground caused widespread tree and power line damage. Major river flooding occurred along the Cape Fear River at Lock 1 near Kelly. Two fatalities were reported when a vehicle was overtaken by flooding on Rosindale Rd near Clarkton. Evacuations were necessary in Elizabethtown. More evacuations as well as rescues were performed in White Oak and Tar Heel. Much of downtown Bladenboro was underwater resulting in numerous road closures including highways 210, 242, 41, 53, and 87. The William O Huske gage and Lock 1 near East Arcadia reached their highest stage since 1945.

Bladen, North Carolina · Tropical Storm · Oct 8, 10:00 UTC

Hurricane Matthew moved up the eastern seaboard, bringing very heavy rain and strong winds. Rainfall amounts were high, with over eight inches of rain reported. Tropical storm force winds and flooded ground caused widespread tree and power line damage. The town of Clio was completely isolated during the height of the storm due to trees blocking all roads leading to and from town. Moderate widespread flooding was reported due to the heavy rain, especially near creeks and streams. Numerous road closures were observed. A train derailed in Wallace as a result of a washout. Residents in low lying areas of Shady Rest and Richardson Park in Bennettsville required evacuations. Marlboro County Emergency Management estimated more than 1 million dollars in damage across the county due to the storm.

Marlboro, South Carolina · Tropical Storm · Oct 8, 10:00 UTC

Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches across the county. Elko reported 4.46 inches of rain. Varina reported 4.25 inches of rain. Richmond International Airport (RIC) reported 4.06 inches of rain. Sandston reported 3.44 inches of rain. Tuckahoe (1 NE) reported 2.81 inches of rain.

Henrico, Virginia · Heavy Rain · Oct 8, 11:00 UTC

Widespread heavy rain and strong winds developed over the region from the morning of October 8th through the morning of October 9th. Rainfall was generally 8 to 12 inches over the county with a storm total of 12.19 inches reported near Calypso. The heavy rainfall produced significant flash flooding with many roads washed out. Devastating river flooding developed along the Northeast Cape Fear River days after the rainfall ended. The Northeast Cape Fear River crested at 19.98 feet in Chinquapin in major flood well above the 13 foot flood stage. Many homes and businesses were flooded and damaged with numerous roads closed for days. Gusty north winds developed on the backside of Matthew with a peak wind gust of 49 mph recorded at the Kenansville Airport at 605 pm on October 8th. The gusty winds combined with saturated ground led to many downed trees with widespread power outages.

Duplin, North Carolina · Tropical Storm · Oct 8, 13:00 UTC

Coastal storm tides of 2 to 3.5 feet above astronomical tide levels were common, with only minor beach erosion reported. The maximum storm tide reached 5.69 feet MLLW at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which resulted in moderate coastal flooding from Saturday evening into Sunday morning.

Virginia Beach, Virginia · Coastal Flood · Oct 9, 02:00 UTC

The Weatherflow station at Vineyard Haven reported a sustained south wind of 40 mph at 729 pm EST. An amateur radio station at Aquinnah measured a wind gust of 61 mph at 722 pm EST. An amateur radio station at Edgartown measured a wind gust of 58 mph at 714 pm EST. Tree down on West Tisbury Road near Hye Road at 640 pm EST.

Dukes, Massachusetts · High Wind · Oct 9, 23:25 UTC

The Weatherflow station at Sagamore Beach in Bourne reported a sustained south wind of 41 mph at 745 pm EST. The Weatherflow station at Wellfleet reported a sustained south wind of 41 mph at 737 pm EST. A tree was down on Route 6 in Truro near Old North Cemetery at 701 pm EST. A tree was down on Sandwich Road in Boune at 943 pm EST. A tree was down on Old County Way in Dennis at 947 pm EST. A tree was down on Route 6 in Welfleet near Old Truro Road.

Barnstable, Massachusetts · High Wind · Oct 10, 00:00 UTC

• Hurricane AlexNorth Atlantic · 2016Cat 175 kt · 978 mb
• Tropical Storm BonnieNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Storm40 kt · 1006 mb
• Tropical Storm ColinNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Storm50 kt · 987 mb
• Tropical Storm DanielleNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Storm40 kt · 1007 mb
• Hurricane EarlNorth Atlantic · 2016 · 65 deathsCat 175 kt · 979 mb
• Tropical Storm FionaNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Storm45 kt · 1004 mb
• Hurricane GastonNorth Atlantic · 2016Cat 3105 kt · 955 mb
• Unnamed tropical depressionNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Depression30 kt · 1010 mb
• Hurricane HermineNorth Atlantic · 2016Cat 170 kt · 981 mb
• Tropical Storm IanNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Storm55 kt · 984 mb
• Tropical Storm KarlNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Storm60 kt · 980 mb
• Tropical Storm JuliaNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Storm45 kt · 1007 mb
• Tropical Storm LisaNorth Atlantic · 2016Tropical Storm45 kt · 999 mb
• Hurricane NicoleNorth Atlantic · 2016Cat 4120 kt · 950 mb
• Hurricane OttoNorth Atlantic · 2016 · 23 deaths · $192 millionCat 3100 kt · 975 mb

A best track is the record a warning agency settles on after the storm, not what it said at the time: position, maximum sustained wind and central pressure every six hours, revised against every observation that came in later. Category is the Saffir-Simpson scale, which runs from Category 1 at 64 kt to Category 5 at 137 kt and reads wind only, so it says nothing about surge or rain. Accumulated cyclone energy adds up the square of the wind through the storm's life, so it counts strength and duration together.

Storm history from NOAA NCEI’s International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), which merges the official best track of every warning agency. Live storms, cones, watches and warnings from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived radar from NOAA’s Level II archive.

• Tropical cyclone report, National Hurricane Center
• Every advisory and discussion NHC issued while it was live
• Best track as KMZ, National Hurricane Center
• Best track as a shapefile, National Hurricane Center
• Wikipedia article: Hurricane Matthew