Tropical Storm Dorian strengthened to hurricane status on Wednesday and smashed into the British and US Virgin Islands, which faced the brunt of hurricane-force winds and torrential rain. Dorian reached the US Virgin Islands packing winds of 80mph, triggering a state of emergency. Trees were uprooted and power lines downed as the dangerous weather system tracked across the Islands.
There were around 25,000 power outages across St Thomas and St John districts, however, response teams worked quickly to restore power.
Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Director of Communications Jean Greaux told CNN: “Within an hour of its passage, The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority mobilised crews to conduct a damage assessment.
“We immediately commenced restoration of service. Crews are now dispersed addressing isolated or pocket outages in a few locations.”
Also in the path of destruction was Puerto Rico, but the island managed to escape the worst effects of the storm.
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Hurricane Dorian updates: As it tracks over open water Dorian will gain strength (Image: CYCLOCANE)
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced had declared a state of emergency as the hurricane approached, and residents urged to prepare for the storm – but Dorian did not wreak as much havoc on the island as first feared.
This came as a relief to the island, which is still reeling from Hurricane Maria which hit as a Category 5 hurricane in 2017 and killed more than 3,000 people.
According to Puerto Rico Public safety Secretary Elmer Roman the only tragedy associated with hurricane Dorian occurred when a man died after falling from the roof of his house while cleaning a drain in preparation for the storm.
Residual rainfall will be felt in the Bahamas, and some coastal sections of the Southeast United States will begin to feel the impact.
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Hurricane Dorian updates: Dorian is forecast to reach Florida this weekend (Image: NOAA)
Now Florida is in the path of the hurricane, and Dorian is expected to strengthen to category three status as it tracks over open water.
As of the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) latest update at 11pm AST (4am BST) the hurricane Dorian was located 90 miles north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moving northwestward at a rate of 13mph.
Dorian was packing wind speeds of 85mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane according to the Saffir-Simpson wind scale.
The NHC warns Dorian will strengthen into “powerful hurricane during the next couple of days”.
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Hurricane Dorian updates: NASA’s satellites show the swirling mass of hurricane Dorian (Image: NASA)
On its current track, Dorian will strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane by Thursday evening local time, before intensifying yet further over open water.
It could reach wind speeds of 115mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane as it approaches Florida.
CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said: “Dorian will likely be a very formidable hurricane as it approaches late Sunday into Monday morning.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency and urged residents to prepare for the oncoming hurricane.
Mr DeSantis said: “It’s important for Floridians on the East Coast to monitor this storm closely.
Hurricane Dorian updates: Dorian could reach Category 3 status before reaching Florida (Image: CNN)
“Every Florida resident should have seven days of supplies, including food, water and medicine, and should have a plan in case of disaster.”
The exact path of Dorian is unknown, as over open water it may change direction say meteorologists.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said: “A very small fluctuation in the overall weather pattern will have a large influence in where Dorian ultimately tracks and how it impacts the continental US.
“If Dorian does slow and turns to the north, impacts in the Carolinas would be much more significant while Florida would be spared from major damage.”