Hurricane Dorian upgraded to ‘catastrophic’ Category 5 storm
The recent slight shift and current path of Hurricane Dorian looks favorable for the eastern coast of Florida. But due to the unpredictability of this storm, all of Florida – especially the east coast – is still being warned to plan and prepare for the worst. Any shift in the storm’s path could still mean a direct Florida landfall.
As of yesterday, the path of Dorian changed from a direct landfall hit – to the edge of the hurricane skirting north along the Atlantic coastline of the State. We just don’t know when that path to the north will occur.
Many eastern counties are under a Tropical Storm Watch, with Tropical Storm Force Winds expected to reach Indian River County sometime between 4 p.m. and Midnight on Monday, September 2.
According to the Emergency Management Division for Indian River County, Florida, there is – at this time – a low chance of Tropical Storm Force Winds reaching very far inland; but Tropical Storm Force Gusts are likely during passing squalls.
Earlier today, the Indian River County Emergency Management Division encouraged mandatory evacuation for all residents and visitors east of US Highway 1.
Mandatory evacuations for those areas will be issued during the morning hours of Tuesday, September 2nd. Public shelters are prepared to open on Monday, including the special needs and pet friendly locations. Shelter locations and times of opening will be announced tomorrow morning.
The Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor Hurricane Dorian tomorrow, as the predicted path is always subject to change. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and not let your guards down. Despite this positive news regarding the slight change in Dorian’s path, there still remains a chance of flooding and storm surge along the coast and in low lying areas.
CNN shared the timeline of the storm, as it could affect the U.S. east coast, below.
MONDAY
- Dorian creeps toward Florida’s east coast
- Hurricane conditions are likely for anyone within 30 miles from the storm’s center
- Tropical-storm-force winds likely arrive along Florida coast
- It continues to rain in the northwestern Bahamas, where up to 12 to 24 inches of rain is expected to fall, with isolated amounts of 30 inches
TUESDAY
- Landfall is still a distinct possibility in Florida as some forecast models have shifted west again
- The storm turns northward and moves up the coast of Florida or more likely offshore and along the coast
WEDNESDAY
- The storm continues to produce hurricane-force winds as it heads north with some more weakening forecast
- There is an increasing risk of strong winds and dangerous storm surge along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina
- Flooding rainfall continues from southern Florida into Georgia
- Closest approach to Georgia and not out of the realm of possibility for a landfall
For more on Hurricane Dorian’s upgrade to a Category 5, see the video accompanying this article. Stay safe everyone!
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
