HURRICANE DORIAN’S PATH REMAINS UNCERTAIN AS IT CREEPS PAST THE BAHAMAS
While Hurricane Dorian has been downgraded to Category 4 status, the storm continues to be extremely dangerous, with hurricane-force winds continue to rage at 155 miles per hour, reaching 45 miles from the eye of the storm and tropical-force winds extend another 140 miles from the eye. Hurricane Dorian is expected to remain powerful and continue to bring devastating winds, heavy rains, and storm surge to the Bahamas and southeast coast. Guidance shows Hurricane Dorian tracking west for another day before making a sharp northerly turn up the east coast of Florida. Evacuation orders have been issues for residents in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina (more information below).
NOAA 4 Hour Time Lapse of Hurricane Dorian’s Track: Source
NOAA 1 Hour Time Lapse of Hurricane Dorian’s Track: Source
Dorian’s exact trajectory remains highly uncertain though, with potential landfall ranging Florida to North Carolina (or no landfall at all), so there’s a direct threat to communities in communities asHurricane Dorian is expected to track along the southeast coast in the next few days. With it comes the threat as much as 7 feet of storm surge to the southeast coast of Florida. Residents of the southeast coast should heed the warnings of local officials and continue to prepare for the possibility that Hurricane Dorian could make landfall in their state.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides guidance to individuals preparing for, experiencing, or affected by hurricanes. As Hurricane Dorian continues to approach the US mainland, individuals should continue to monitor the storm and make preparations for evacuation. Dorian’s path is still uncertain, so it is important to make preparations now– do not wait! The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates.
FEMA Build an Emergency Kit: Source
Public Advisories
Here’s the breakdown of public advisories from NOAA’s NHC in decreasing order of severity:
Hurricane Warning:
- Grand Bahama and the Abacos Islands in the northwestern Bahamas
- Jupiter Inlet to the Volusia/Brevard County Line
Hurricane Watch:
- North of Deerfield Beach to Jupiter Inlet
- Flagler/Volusia County Line to the Altamaha Sound Georgia
Tropical Storm Warning:
- North of Deerfield Beach to Jupiter Inlet
Tropical Storm Watch:
- North of Golden Beach to Deerfield Beach
- Lake Okeechobee
Storm Surge Warning:
- Lantana to the Volusia/Brevard County Line
Storm Surge Watch:
- North of Deerfield Beach to south of Lantana
- Volusia/Brevard County Line to the Mouth of the St. Mary’s River
- Evacuations and Emergency Declarations
Florida: See evacuation zones here
- Voluntary Evacuations have been issued for: Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Palm Beach counties
- Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for: Brevard, Duval, Indian River, Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Volusia counties
Georgia: See evacuation resources here
- Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for: Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty, and McIntosh counties
South Carolina: See evacuation zones here
- Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Horry, Georgetown, and Jasper counties
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