Cat 3 Matthew Batters Fla. Space Coast; Some 600,000 Lose Power

"The first major hurricane threatening a direct hit on the United States in more than 10 years lashed Florida on Friday with heavy rains and winds after killing at least 339 people in Haiti on its destructive march north through the Caribbean.

Hurricane Matthew packed gusts of 100 miles per hour (160 kph) as it tracked north-northwest along Florida's east coast, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory. The storm's eye was 25 miles (40 km) east of Cape Canaveral, home to the nation’s chief space launch site.

'We are seriously ground zero here in Cape Canaveral -- hunkered down, lights flickering, winds are crazy,' said resident Sandy Wilk on Twitter. "

Scott Malone and Gabriel Stargardter report for Reuters October 7, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Weakened Hurricane Matthew Slamming Central Florida Coastline" (Orlando Sentinel)