Hurricane Dorian has strengthened after sparing the Caribbean — including Puerto Rico — any major damage, and is now barreling toward Florida for the Labor Day weekend.
As of 11 p.m. Eastern time, the storm was about 90 miles north of San Juan and clocking 85 mph winds. Dorian is forecast to strengthen into a powerful hurricane during the next couple of days.
Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue through Friday. On this track, Dorian should move over the Atlantic well east of the southeastern
and central Bahamas on Thursday and Friday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles.
Read more at the National Hurricane Center
Today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 19-189, declaring a state of emergency for counties in the path of Hurricane Dorian. The governor is urging all Floridians on the East Coast to prepare for impacts, as the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center project Hurricane Dorian will make landfall on Florida’s East Coast as a major hurricane.
By declaring a state of emergency, DeSantis is ensuring that state and local governments have ample time, resources and flexibility to prepare. The State Emergency Operations Center will activate to a Level 2 on Thursday morning, enhancing the coordination between federal, state and local emergency management agencies.
“Today, I am declaring a state of emergency to ensure Florida is fully prepared for Hurricane Dorian,” said DeSantis. “It’s important for Floridians on the East Coast to monitor this storm closely. Every Florida resident should have seven days of supplies, including food, water and medicine, and should have a plan in case of disaster. I will continue to monitor Hurricane Dorian closely with emergency management officials. The state stands ready to support all counties along the coast as they prepare.”
“Because of the uncertainty in the track of this storm, every resident along the East Coast needs to be ready,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz. “As updates come out, it’s important that Floridians continue to pay attention to media and local officials as the track of this storm has been changing and can continue to change rapidly. By having an Executive Order in place and by activating the State Emergency Operations Center to a Level 2, we are fully prepared to support any community that might be impacted.”
