State of emergency declared in 4 states; Dorian makes landfall in Bahamas as Category 5
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city would send personnel from the fire department, police and emergency management office to support efforts to prepare in Florida. This video from Friday night, shows a team from the urban search and rescue team Task Force 1 setting out on their journey late that evening with equipment and materials.
Dorian churns toward the East Coast as residents scurry to make last minute preparations and evacuations. The storm's path has triggered Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to declare a state of emergency ahead of landfall.
The current AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes for Dorian is a 5 on the Bahamas, but a 2 on the mainland U.S.
Sunday afternoon, St. Johns County in St. Augustine, Florida issued mandatory evacuation order effective on 8 a.m. EDT Monday.
The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the Northwestern Bahamas on Saturday. A hurricane warning was issued on Sunday afternoon for part of eastern Florida from Jupiter Inlet to the Volusa/Brevard County Line.
Bahamas officials ordered the evacuation of the Abacos and parts of Grand Bahama on Friday in preparation for the storm, which is forecast to hit the island at full force. As of 3 a.m. on Monday, the storm tracked west of the Abacos and is only 50 miles east of Freeport in the Bahamas.
Residents of Flagler Beach, Fla., fill sandbags Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, to help protect their homes in preparation for Hurricane Dorian Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
"Let me be extremely clear, those who refuse to evacuate place themselves in great danger from this very powerful and potentially life-threatening hurricane," Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in a press conference on Friday.
He continued to note that emergency personnel and assistance wouldn't be available during the immediate impact of Dorian for those in the projected path path of the storm who didn't evacuate.
Portions of Florida's eastern coast are under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning as the state prepares for the impacts of the storm.
“Make the preparations that you need,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said. “You have some time, but that time is running out.”
President Trump declared a statewide emergency on Friday and ordered federal assistance to all 67 counties in the state of Florida.
Shoppers wait in long lines at Costco, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Davie, Fla., as they stock up on supplies ahead of Hurricane Dorian. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Gov. DeSantis said the Florida Highway Patrol will be escorting gasoline tankers throughout the state “to ensure fuel reaches critical areas more quickly.”
Military installations in Dorian’s path are moving quickly to respond, taking as many precautionary measures as possible to ensure the safety of base personnel and equipment. Naval aircraft in Jacksonville, Florida, began relocating today to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus, Ohio.
Tree service companies across the coast have received calls from people looking to have the area around their homes cleaned up to limit damage from debris.
"Anybody who is assuming it's not coming to them because it could go anywhere is making a huge mistake," said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, about making preparations for Hurricane Dorian. "You have to assume the worst. Hope for the best, but assume the worst."
Store shelves are empty of bottled water as residents buy supplies in preparation for Hurricane Dorian, in Doral, Fla., Thursday, July 29, 2019. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Dorian could hit the Florida coast over the weekend as a major hurricane. (AP Photo/Marcus Lim)
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office has issued a mandatory evacuation for those living in the barrier islands, flood-prone areas, mobile homes, or those with disabilities. The evacuation goes into effect Monday at 8 a.m. EDT. The Brevard County Emergency Management said public shelters will be made available for general population, families wishing to bring their pets and those with special medical needs.
On Saturday, the Florida Department of Corrections posted an update that about 900 inmates had been evacuated or relocated to facilities that were better equipped to withstand the weather impacts of Dorian.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency in Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, and Wayne counties to assist with preparations, response and recovery.
Additionally, Gov. Kemp has issued an Executive Order temporarily suspending federal rules and regulations which would otherwise limit the hours that operators of commercial vehicles may drive to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products, emergency supplies and food.
Matt Rohrer loads sandbags in the back of his vehicle for his home in preparation for Hurricane Dorian Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in Flagler Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Evacuees and their pets are welcome in Georgia’s State Parks, including horses at parks with equestrian facilities. ParkPass and pet fees will be waived for evacuees. In a twitter post they said most cabins and campsites are full through Labor Day, but more are available after Monday.
Ahead of the storm's arrival, the Atlanta Motor Speedway is opening its camping facilities to evacuees. The Speedway will provide camping space free of charge for dry RV and tent campers.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency and urges South Carolinians to prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Dorian impacting the state.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper also declared a state of emergency due to the possible impacts from Hurricane Dorian on transportation rules, according to a news release.
“Due to the approach of Hurricane Dorian, the Governor has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina,” the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a tweet. “This includes the suspension of certain weighing requirements for livestock trucks and maximum hours for truck drivers.”
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