HURRICANE DORIAN NOW A CATEGORY 2 STORM MOVING ALONG FLORIDA’S COAST
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 AS OF 11:00 AM EST
Hurricane Dorian is a Category 2 storm, moving at an increased speed of 9 miles per hour in a north-northwest direction along the east coast of Florida. The storm is expected to make a turn north this evening and continue in a northeast direction throughout the week and expected to maintain force over the next few days. Guidance shows that Hurricane Dorian will move dangerously close to the southeast coast, with landfall remaining a possibility. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Dorian to weaken as it passes along the Carolina coast later this week. Currently, Dorian has sustained winds of 105 miles per hour that expand out 70 miles from the eye of the storm. Tropical storm force winds currently extend over 175 miles from the eye of the storm, bringing heavy thunderstorms and rain to Florida’s coastal communities.
NOAA 5 Hour Time Lapse of Hurricane Dorian: Source
As Dorian moves along the east coast of Florida today, individuals may experience strong rain and thunderstorms. Residents of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina should remain vigilant. Heavy rain, storm surge, and hurricane-force winds are expected in these states over the coming days. Isolated areas could potentially receive as much as 15 inches of rainfall and 8 feet storm surge. Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and North Carolina issued evacuation orders for residents (more information below).
NHC Guidance on Potential Storm Surge Across the Southeast Coast
Here’s the latest #Dorian storm surge forecast from this morning. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide. For more details see https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/FnozVJ0eqh
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 4, 2019
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides guidance to individuals preparing for, experiencing, or affected by hurricanes. Hurricane Dorian brings potential for life-threatening storm surge to many coastal communities. Individuals should heed the warnings of local authorities and prepare for hurricane conditions. The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates.
NOAA Guidance on Storm Surge: Source
Public Advisories
Here’s the breakdown of public advisories from NOAA’s NHC in decreasing order of severity:
Hurricane Warning:
- North of Savannah River to the North Carolina/Virginia border
- Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds
Hurricane Watch:
- North of Ponte Vedra Beach FL to Savannah River
Tropical Storm Warning:
- Volusia/Brevard County FL line to Savannah River
Tropical Storm Watch:
- The North Carolina/Virginia border to Chincoteague VA
- Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point southward
Storm Surge Warning:
- North of Port Canaveral FL to the North Carolina/Virginia border
- Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
- Neuse and Pamlico Rivers
Storm Surge Watch:
- North Carolina/Virginia border to Poquoson VA, including Hampton Roads
Evacuations and Emergency Declarations
Florida: See evacuation zones here
- Voluntary Evacuations have been issued for: Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, and Osceola counties
- Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for: Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Volusia counties
Georgia: See evacuation resources here
- Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for: Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Echols, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Wayne and Ware counties
South Carolina: See evacuation zones here
- Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Horry, Georgetown, and Jasper counties
North Carolina: See evacuation zones
- Voluntary Evacuations have been issued for: Carteret, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Sampson, Tyrrell, and Washington counties
- Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for: Currituck, Dare, Hyde, and New Hanover counties
Related Stories
- Remember, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep you and your family safe.
- Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: Those Hurricane Maps Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean
- NY Times regularly updated tracking of Hurricane Dorian: Track Hurricane Dorian’s Path
Keep track of Hagerty’s Hurricane Dorian coverage here: