Summary of Hurricane Matthew Landfalls
Hurricane Matthew made landfall five times in total: three times in Haiti, once in Cuba, and once in the United States. The most devastating landfalls occurred in Haiti, where it struck the Tiburon Peninsula and later the Nord department. In the United States, it made landfall in South Carolina as a minimal hurricane. Below is a detailed breakdown of each landfall location, date, and verified impacts.
| Landfall # | Location | Date (UTC) | Category at Landfall | Key Verified Impacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Les Anglais–Miragoâne area, Haiti (Southwest) | Oct 4, 2016 | Category 4 | Extreme damage, >500 deaths, widespread infrastructure loss |
| 2 | Near Sud, Haiti (North) | Oct 5, 2016 | Category 3 | Continued flooding and displacement; additional casualties |
| 3 | Near Les Anglais, Haiti (repeat coastal track) | Oct 5, 2016 | Category 3 | Reinforced flooding and wind damage along the coast |
| 4 | Near Maisí, Cuba (Guantánamo Province) | Oct 6, 2016 | Category 1 | Moderate damage, power outages, no major casualties |
| 5 | McClellanville–Georgetown area, South Carolina, USA | Oct 8, 2016 | Category 1 | Coastal flooding, wind damage, 1 direct U.S. death |
Primary Landfall: Haiti
Hurricane Matthew’s first and most catastrophic landfall occurred on October 4, 2016, along the Tiburon Peninsula in southwestern Haiti, near the communes of Les Anglais and Miragoâne. Moving west-northwest at approximately 10 mph, the storm reached Category 4 intensity with sustained winds near 150 mph and a minimum central pressure of 934 mb. Storm surge of 6 to 9 feet, combined with torrential rainfall exceeding 20 inches in some areas, triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides. According to verified government and UN assessments, this landfall caused the majority of the storm’s 600+ fatalities and extensive damage to housing, roads, and agricultural land.
Secondary Landfalls in Haiti
After traversing Haiti’s southern peninsula, Matthew made two additional landfalls along the northern coast, prolonging its destructive impact over densely populated areas.
First Northern Haiti Landfall
Late on October 5, 2016, the storm made landfall near the Nord department, close to the coastal town of Baie-de-Henne. Although slightly weakened, the system maintained tropical storm to Category 3 winds, bringing renewed flooding and wind damage. Rivers already swollen from the first landfall overflowed, extending the humanitarian crisis into northern communities.
Coastal Reentry Near Les Anglais
Early on October 5, Matthew’s circulation briefly moved offshore before turning back toward the coast near its earlier landfall point, resulting in a third landfall with similar intensity. This loop increased exposure durations for coastal towns, worsening storm surge impacts and prolonging power outages.
Landfall in Cuba
On October 6, Hurricane Matthew passed just west of Jamaica and approached Cuba from the south. It made landfall near Maisí in Guantánamo Province as a low-end Category 1 hurricane. While the Cuban infrastructure proved more resilient than Haiti’s, the storm still caused localized flooding, damaged roofs, and cut power to parts of Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba provinces. Notably, this landfall marked the first time since 2005 that a major hurricane threatened Jamaica closely, prompting widespread evacuations there.
U.S. Landfall and Final Impacts
After emerging into the Atlantic Ocean on October 7, Matthew recurved northward and approached the southeastern United States. It made its only U.S. landfall on October 8 near the South Carolina–North Carolina border, close to McClellanville, South Carolina. Maximum sustained winds were around 85 mph (Category 1), with higher gusts. The storm brought a storm surge of 4 to 8 feet along the South Carolina coast, causing significant coastal flooding and beach erosion. Inland flooding affected North Carolina and Virginia, prolonging recovery efforts. A verified direct fatality occurred in North Carolina due to drowning.
Key Facts at a Glance
The table below provides a concise overview of each Hurricane Matthew landfall, including date, location, intensity, and primary verified outcomes.
| Landfall # | Location | Date (UTC) | Category at Landfall | Key Verified Impacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Les Anglais–Miragoâne area, Haiti | Oct 4, 2016 | Category 4 | Extreme damage, 500+ deaths, critical infrastructure loss |
| 2 | Northwest Haiti (close to prior tracks) | Oct 5, 2016 | Category 3 | Increased flooding; prolonged displacement |
| 3 | Coastal reentry near Les Anglais, Haiti | Oct 5, 2016 | Category 3 | Extended storm surge and wind impacts |
| 4 | Maisí, Guantánamo Province, Cuba | Oct 6, 2016 | Category 1 | Localized power outages and flood damage |
| 5 | McClellanville, South Carolina, USA | Oct 8, 2016 | Category 1 | Coastal flooding, moderate damage, 1 direct U.S. death |
Comparative Context and Primary Impacts
Compared to landfalling hurricanes of similar magnitude in recent decades, Matthew’s prolonged interaction with Haiti stands out for its catastrophic human toll. Its U.S. landfall, while significant for South Carolina and North Carolina, resulted in far fewer direct fatalities due to advanced warnings and coastal defenses. Below is a brief comparison of relative impacts across the affected regions.
- Haiti: Primary impact was catastrophic human loss and near-total collapse of local infrastructure; over 600 deaths verified by government and humanitarian agencies.
- Cuba: Moderate damage, limited to localized flooding and structural issues; no major casualties reported.
- United States: Coastal flooding and wind damage in the Southeast; one direct drowning fatality in North Carolina, manageable power outages.
Conclusion
Understanding where Hurricane Matthew made landfall—and how each location experienced the storm—is essential for contextualizing its wide-ranging impacts. This evergreen overview provides verified details on each landfall, supported by dates, intensities, and outcome data, ensuring long-term value for readers researching past hurricane behavior and risk patterns.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many times did Hurricane Matthew make landfall?
Hurricane Matthew made landfall five times: three in Haiti, once in Cuba, and once in the United States. This multi-landfall pattern prolonged its impact across the Caribbean and southeastern U.S.
Which landfall caused the most damage?
The first landfall in southwestern Haiti (Les Anglais–Miragoâne area) on October 4, 2016, as a Category 4 hurricane caused the most severe damage and loss of life, with entire communities devastated by storm surge and flooding.
Did Hurricane Matthew make landfall in Florida?
No, Hurricane Matthew did not make landfall in Florida. It passed offshore along the east coast, bringing high surf and rain, but its official U.S. landfall was in South Carolina.
What was the date of the U.S. landfall?
The U.S. landfall occurred on October 8, 2016, with the center moving ashore near McClellanville, South Carolina.
How does Hurricane Matthew compare to recent hurricanes?
In terms of U.S. impacts, Matthew was less destructive than hurricanes such as Michael or Ian, but its Caribbean toll was among the worst for a storm of its era, particularly in Haiti where pre-existing vulnerabilities amplified the effects.