The latest forecast for Hurricane Dorian could be trouble for the Carolinas.
In its 5 p.m. advisory on Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said the Category 2 hurricane’s expected path is inching closer to the coast than previously thought.
“The track envelope has edged closer to the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina and the NHC track has been adjusted in that direction,” the NHC said in a discussion post. “A track that close to the coast, even if landfall does not occur, is likely to bring dangerous winds, life-threatening storm surge, and flooding rains across the eastern portions of the Carolinas.”
New Watches and Warnings Issued Along the Southeastern United States Coast. Rain and Wind Threat also Increasing For Portions of Virginia Coast and Southern Chesapeake Bay. Here are the 5 PM Tuesday Key Messages for #Dorian. For More Info See: https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/yBpORo5H9O
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 3, 2019
Right now Dorian is roughly 100 miles east of Vero Beach, Florida, moving northwest at 6 mph after stalling over the northern Bahamas for days. As many as 13,000 homes have been destroyed in the Bahamas and at least five people have been killed by the hurricane, which over the weekend peaked at Category 5 status with 185-mph sustained maximum winds.
“The U.S. may be getting a little bit lucky with respect to Hurricane Dorian, but please don’t let down your guard. As it heads up the coast, lots of very bad and unpredictable things can happen! On the other hand, the Bahamas have been devastated. We are sending crews to help!” President Trump tweeted after the 5 p.m. forecast came out.
The U.S. may be getting a little bit lucky with respect to Hurricane Dorian, but please don’t let down your guard. As it heads up the coast, lots of very bad and unpredictable things can happen! On the other hand, the Bahamas have been devastated. We are sending crews to help!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2019
Dorian is weakening, down to 110-mph sustained winds, but its wind field has grown, increasing the range by which tropical storm-force and hurricane-force winds can reach. Hurricane warnings have been issued along parts of the Florida and South Carolina coasts, while the Georgia coast has a Tropical Storm Warning in effect.
Hurricane watches stretch from northern South Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia line.
Evacuation orders in coastal areas extend from Florida to the Carolinas.
Winds and rain associated with Dorian are already lashing out at Florida. The hurricane will approach the South Carolina coast early Thursday and pass North Carolina on Friday.
