BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - The Brevard County Emergency Operations Center has issued a mandatory evacuation of barrier islands, including Merritt Island, due to Hurricane Matthew.
Evacuations will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Shelters will open beginning at 4 p.m., but the locations of those shelters will be announced Wednesday.
Brevard County schools, government offices and the courthouse will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Cape Canaveral hospital began moving patients Tuesday to Holmes Regional and Viera Hospital.
Gates to Cape Canaveral Hospital will closed at 9 a.m. Wednesday to new patients. Surgeries will be rescheduled.
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