Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 19-189, declaring a state of emergency for counties in the path of Hurricane Dorian. The Governor is urging all Floridians on the East Coast to prepare for impacts, as the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center project Hurricane Dorian will make landfall on Florida’s East Coast as a major hurricane.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...

• Vieques and Culebra
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• British Virgin Islands

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

• Puerto Rico

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

According to the National Hurricane Center, given the favorable environment of warm waters and low shear prevailing in the western Atlantic, the forecast calls for a marked intensification, and brings Dorian to category 3 intensity in 72 hours, and keeps it at that intensity until landfall. This forecast is very close to the intensity consensus, the HCCA model, and the SHIPS guidance.

All indications are that by this Labor Day weekend, a powerful hurricane will be near or over the Florida peninsula. The new NHC track forecast is a little bit to the south of the previous one, given that global models have a stronger ridge to the north and the track models show more of a westward motion. 

** There is a likelihood that Dorian will reemerge in Gulf of Mexico and gain intensity. Those in northern Gulf states should be paying close attention to the progress of this weather system **

Now is the time for those in hurricane-prone regions to prepare.

Take some time to look in on the handicapped and elderly in your neighborhoods as their ability to make preparations may be limited.