Hurricane Dorian may reach Category 4 strength before slamming into Florida over Labor Day weekend.
The second level of “major” hurricane status, a Category 4 storm has the potential to cause “catastrophic damage” according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
At least one model, as of Wednesday evening, showed a 31% chance of Dorian reaching high enough sustained maximum winds for Category 4 status by Friday afternoon.
The National Hurricane Center, which examines a wide array of models for its forecast, said in its 5 a.m. discussion that maximum winds could reach up to 125 mph in the next few days, 5 mph below what is needed to become a Category 4. That could change in the NHC’s next update.
Here are the 5 AM AST/EDT August 29 Key Messages for Hurricane #Dorian. For more information, visit https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/IPNcswUGBt
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 29, 2019
The storm, currently a Category 1, is expected to make landfall over the eastern Florida coast by Monday, but earlier than that its outer bands, rough surf, and strong winds will start impacting the area.
The last time a hurricane made landfall over the United States as a Category 4 storm was in 2017 when Hurricane Irma hit the Florida Keys. Before that, Hurricane Harvey slammed into Texas. That storm flooded Houston and other nearby areas, leading to a death toll of roughly 100 people, thousands of people getting displaced, and nearly $125 billion in damages.
“Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months,” the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale says of a Category 4’s potential for damage.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for more than two dozen eastern Florida counties earlier in the day and urged residents to stock up on supplies for the next seven days. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said his state is also preparing.
“Hurricane Dorian looks like it will be hitting Florida late Sunday night. Be prepared and please follow State and Federal instructions, it will be a very big Hurricane, perhaps one of the biggest!” President Trump tweeted on Thursday.
Hurricane Dorian looks like it will be hitting Florida late Sunday night. Be prepared and please follow State and Federal instructions, it will be a very big Hurricane, perhaps one of the biggest!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2019
He also said Puerto Rico is in “great shape” after Dorian largely spared the U.S. territory on Wednesday.
Puerto Rico is in great shape with Hurricane Dorian taking a largely different route than anticipated. Thank you to FEMA, first responders, and all, for working so hard & being so well prepared. A great result! The bad news, Florida get ready! Storm is building and will be BIG!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2019
