Dorian has passed Puerto Rico and moved through the British and US Virgin Islands, and seems to have Florida in its crosshairs. The 5am update from the National Hurricane Center has it making landfall a bit more south than what was estimated at 11pm, but only slightly.
According to the 5 a.m. track, the storm may have winds reaching 125 mph when it approaches the Florida coast.
Dorian is expected to grow in size and strengthen to a Category 3 or higher by the time it reaches the US mainland in Florida.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday declared a state of emergency and urged all residents on the coast to get ready for the storm. Osceola County did the same when its commissioners met on Wednesday and today there will be two press conferences that will update its plans to protect its citizens and set up the post hurricane strategies.
“It’s important for Floridians on the East Coast to monitor this storm closely,” DeSantis said. “Every Florida resident should have seven days of supplies, including food, water and medicine, and should have a plan in case of disaster.”
All eyes are on Dorian and most everyone expects it will be a category 3 when it makes landfall, most likely on the east coast of Central Florida, but meteorologists warn that it is still too early to know with confidence where and when it will actually come ashore.