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SALT LAKE CITY — Before Hurricane Matthew turned into a killer, 600-mile wide storm, LDS Church leaders counseled with mission presidents and local church leaders in every country and church mission in its path.
The hurricane could be worse than Sandy or Katrina, one expert told CNBC, and has killed people in three Caribbean countries — Haiti, the Dominican Republic and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — and President Obama has declared a state of emergency for Florida and North Carolina with the storm expected to strike the U.S. coast soon, CNN reported. More than 2 million people have been asked to evacuate the coast in Florida and South Carolina, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott has warned, "This storm will kill you."
A hurricane modeler said Matthew could cause up to $120 billion in damage in the United States if it doesn't change course, more than twice the cost of Sandy or Katrina, CNBC reported.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement, posted on its website Thursday on the impact of Hurricane Matthew:
"Hurricane Matthew, a potentially catastrophic storm, has affected many parts of the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Significant loss of life and severe damage to property has occurred, especially in Haiti. It is soon expected to impact the southeast United States over the next several days.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by Hurricane Matthew.
"We encourage residents in the affected area to listen to calls for appropriate evacuation, preparation and response, before, during and after the weather emergency.
"Prior to the storm, the presidents of each mission in the path of the hurricane have taken appropriate steps to ensure the life and safety of missionaries. This has included moving to safer locations, gathering emergency supplies and reviewing mission emergency procedures. Mission presidents have responded as appropriate and where possible are keeping families informed by email and through social media with messages of reassurance that necessary precautions have been taken.
"Local church congregational leaders take similar steps to prepare those in their area. The church continues to monitor the situation and is prepared to respond as needed."
