Disaster Discourse: The Hagerty Blog

HURRICANE DORIAN EXPECTED TO BRING STORM SURGE AND EXTENSIVE FLOODING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 AS OF 11:00 AM EST

Hurricane Dorian was upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane late last night. Reports suggest that the storm will continue to reduce speed and strengthen as it passes through the Atlantic Ocean, making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the coming week. Hurricane Dorian is currently moving at a speed of 10 miles per hour, reducing its speed by approximately 3 miles per hour in the last 24 hours. Hurricane-force winds extend more than a hundred miles from the center of the storm. Dorian is expected to bring dangerous conditions, with catastrophic storm surge as high as 10 – 15 feet above tide levels.

NOAA Hurricane Dorian Forecasted 5-Day ConeSource: NOAA.gov

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts that Hurricane Dorian could hit the east coast of Florida as early as Monday. Extensive inland flooding is possible as Dorian is expected to quickly downgrade from a Category 4 to a Category 1 hurricane after making landfall. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis amended the State of Emergency to include all 67 counties due to the increasing risk posed by Dorian. Florida continues to prepare to respond to the incident.

NOAA Guidance on Inland Flooding
Source: National Weather Service

Health and Human Services (HHS) offers helpful guidance for those in the path of Hurricane Dorian. It is important to understand your evacuation zone and prepare to evacuate when directed by local officials. Residents of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina are encouraged to monitor this storm as it approaches the mainland. The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates.

HHS Guidance for Hurricane Dorian
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services

Public Advisories

Here’s the breakdown of public advisories from NOAA’s NHC in decreasing order of severity:

Hurricane Watch:
  • Northwestern Bahamas

Evacuations and Emergency Declarations

  • Florida: See evacuation zones here
  • Georgia: See evacuation resources here
  • South Carolina: See evacuation zones here

Related Stories

  • Remember, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep you and your family safe:link
  • Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: link
  • NY Times regularly updated tracking of Hurricane Dorian: link
  • FEMA’s guidance to individuals preparing for, experiencing, or impacted by hurricanes: link