Here’s what you need to know:
Storm reaches ‘catastrophic’ strength with 160 m.p.h. winds
As Hurricane Dorian drew near to the Abaco Islands in the northwestern Bahamas early Sunday morning, the National Hurricane Center said in a bulletin that the maximum sustained winds around the eye of the storm had reached 160- miles an hour, making it a “catastrophic” storm with “devastating winds.”
It is moving westward fairly slowly — 8 miles an hour — and would soon be moving over Great Abaco, and then continue near or over Grand Bahama later Sunday or early Monday, forecasters said. Storm surge as much of 15 to 20 feet was possible, enough to swamp many low-lying areas of the islands, and that as much as 25 inches of rain could fall before the storm passes.
NEW: #Dorian is now a category 5 #hurricane with 160 mph sustained winds. The eyewall of this catastrophic hurricane is about to hit the Abaco Islands with devastating winds. Next advisory: https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/oFspgN0XbT
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 1, 2019
The storm is expected to turn northward, raking the coast
Forecasters expect the storm to creep nearer to the coast of Florida through Monday and then swing northward, paralleling the mainland coast. Though it may not make landfall all week if it follows that track, its strong winds and heavy rains, storm surge and punishing surf could still have the potential to do major damage in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
The National Hurricane Center posted a tropical storm watch on Sunday for the Florida coast from Deerfield Beach to Sebastien Inlet, meaning that storm-force winds are expected there within 36 hours. “Heavy rains, capable of producing life-threatening flash floods, are possible,” the center said.
People are vacationing at Disney World despite storm warnings.
Families arrived in Orlando this weekend carrying Disney-themed suitcases, wearing Mickey Mouse ears and closely monitoring Hurricane Dorian’s path as they plowed ahead with long-planned vacations to Walt Disney World.
The theme park complex is mostly operating normally, though its Blizzard Beach Water Park was closed as a precaution on Sunday.
Cierra and Louis Gosselin, who live in Bermuda, booked their nine-day vacation at Disney World more than seven months ago for their wedding anniversary and were especially excited to visit Galaxy Edge, a new Star Wars-themed section of Disney World that opened on Thursday.
The couple has been keeping a close eye on the latest hurricane models and said they were hopeful Dorian would not have much effect on their visit. But just in case, they rented a car and are ready to evacuate if necessary.
“I think we’re a little less intimidated because we live in Bermuda,” said Ms. Gosselin, an accounting consultant. “We’re more accustomed to the hurricanes, and we know what to do.”
She joked that her biggest fear was that the park’s replica of the Millenium Falcon, the Star Wars spacecraft, would be swept up by the storm.
Daniel and Kristin Russell arrived in Orlando on Saturday from Grand Rapids, Mich., with their four-year-old daughter, who is particularly excited for the “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” event.
Mr. Russell said the family had considered canceling, but decided to go ahead with the trip when forecasts began yo indicate that the hurricane may not make landfall in Florida.
“We had lots of friends and family that told us it might not be good to go, but we kept watching it, and we don’t think it’s going to be a problem now,” he said.
Some visitors were getting out just in time. Inside the Orlando International Airport, the Magic of Disney store was bustling with people snagging one more souvenir before boarding a plane home. They tried on hats with Minnie Mouse’s signature red and white polka dots and perused Disney-themed oven mitts, stuffed animals and R2-D2 mugs. — Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs
Carolinas declare states of emergency
The governors of North and South Carolina have declared states of emergencies ahead of Hurricane Dorian, which is moving slowly west toward the coast. Emergencies have already been declared in Florida and 12 counties in Georgia.
“North Carolinians should prepare, and listen to local leaders for updates on severe weather. Please take the time now to prepare for possible effects of #Dorian,” Gov. Roy Cooper wrote in a Tweet Saturday night.
Several hours earlier on Saturday, Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina declared a state emergency, telling residents not to take the storm lightly.
“Given the strength and unpredictability of the storm, we must prepare for every possible scenario,” Mr. McMaster said in a statement. “State assets are being mobilized now and Team South Carolina is working around the clock to be ready, if necessary. We encourage all South Carolinians who may be impacted by Hurricane Dorian to be vigilant and prepare now — there is no reason for delay.”
The National Hurricane Center said some tracking models show that the storm may make landfall near Cape Fear, N.C. on Thursday or Friday. Its winds are expected to have weakened by then, but it is still expected to lash the coastline with winds of up to 80-miler per hour and coastal areas of North Carolina receiving as much as 10-inches of rain.
“Be ready, and take steps now,” said Barry Porter, regional director of the Red Cross. “Don’t wait until 24 hours. You have four, five days’ notice.”
Read more about Hurricane Dorian.
Anticipating Dorian’s movements has been unusually difficult for forecasters.
As a newborn hurricane, Dorian hit the Virgin Islands but largely spared Puerto Rico.
What our photographers are seeing as Florida braces for a major hurricane.
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs contributed reporting from Orlando, Fla.
2019-09-01 12:54:04Z
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