Hurricane Dorian track LIVE: Rare Florida king tide will make CAT 4 hurricane CATACLYSMIC

• Bahamas on hurricane watch as risk of life-threatening storm surge increase. Hurricane Dorian due to hit Caribbean island today
• National Hurricane Center warns of increasing likelyhood of storm surge along Florida east coast this weekend
• Florida governor Ron De Santis warns all 67 counties have had state emergency declared. Residents should know their hurricane plan
• Risk of devastating hurricane force winds along Florida East Coast

The fourth named storm of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Dorian is intensifying as it tracks through the open water of the Atlantic Ocean. A state of emergency has been declared in Florida, and shelves in coastal shops are being stripped as residents prepare for Dorian to make landfall. Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center warned: “People have got to be ready before Sunday.” Below are the latest updates, warnings and path of Hurricane Dorian, all times in BST.

8.30pm update: FEMA preparing for “multi-state” impact from Dorian

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has said it is preparing for a “multi-state” impact. 

Donald Trump recently gave the go-ahead to the Department of Homeland Security agency to direct relief efforts against the storm in Florida. 

Officials will aid people with extra resources and manpower to prevent significant fallout through the state’s 67 counties. 

FEMA Associate Administrator Jeffrey Byard mentioned the agency is preparing for possible effects of Dorian “into Georgia and the Carolinas.”

7pm update: NOAA releases 2pm advisory

The NOAA has released their latest advisory for 2pm AST, saying the storm has now strengthened to 115mph. 

They said: “Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h).

“A slower west-northwestward to westward motion should begin tonight and continue into early next week.

“On this track, the core of Dorian should move over the Atlantic well north of the southeastern and central Bahamas today and tomorrow, be near or over the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday, and be near the Florida peninsula late Monday.”

“Data from a reconnaissance plane indicate that with maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts.

“Dorian is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

“Additional strengthening is forecast, and Dorian is anticipated to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane while it moves near the northwestern Bahamas and approaches the Florida peninsula into early next week.

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km).”

6.30pm update: New York city pledges aid to Florida

New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio said members of the New York Fire Department (FDNY) would assist with the logistics of Hurricane Dorian.

The mayor pledged the assistance of at least 25 members from the department’s Incident Management Team.

He said: “New York City is ready to do whatever it takes to help those impacted by Hurricane Dorian. 

“We are actively monitoring the situation in Florida and the FDNY Incident Management Team will be assisting and coordinating with local first responders to ensure they have the support they need in the coming days.”

5.20pm update:  NASA facilities in path of Hurricane Dorian

NASA’s base in Florida is currently under threat from the potential effects of Hurricane Dorian. 

The storm is currently on track to batter the agency’s Kennedy Space Centre, located on the Florida coast to the west of Titusville. 

NASA has taken preparatory measures to weather Dorian since Wednesday, August 28, as several important craft could be damaged by heavy winds and rain. 

The agency’s 400-fot-tall Mobile Launcher, which was built to aid deep-space missions is most at risk, as exposure to extreme winds could topple it. 

The Mobile Launcher is destined for NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building to weather the elements. 

Hurricane Dorian is raining lightning down on the ocean

Hurricane Dorian is raining lightning down on the ocean (Image: NOAA)

5pm update: Donald Trump approves state of emergency request in Florida

Florida Mayor Rick DeSantis requested Donald Trump approve a state of emergency request in the southern state, which the President has now approved. 

The approval will grant Florida an array of extra resources to help tackle the worst of the storm. 

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department for Homeland Security, will now coordinate all disaster relief efforts. 

FEMA will provide aid in all of Florida’s 67 counties. 

The President tweeted about the storm yesterday, urging people to follow state advice as it draws close.

He said: “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!”

4.40pm update: Florida residents left without vital supplies as Dorian approaches 

Florida resident Marion Wilkinson Scott posted via Twitter he is worried for his two daughters as the storm approaches.

He said some local petrol stations were left without fuel or water, igniting further fears about the effects of the impending hurricane.

He said: “I have two little girls. I don’t need for them to be in the heat once the electricity goes.

“We have shutters on our home. I’m glad we filled or tanks last week and have provisions.

“It is difficult to heed warnings when there is no gas at the station and no water in the market. Our tub will be filled.”

4.20pm update: Dorian is raining lightning in the Atlantic Ocean

Hurricane Dorian has spawned hundreds of lightning strikes in the Atlantic Ocean as it makes its way west. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) recently released satellite imagery of the storm, pulsing blue with lightning strikes. 

The NOAA’s satellite agency tweeted:Take a look at all that lightning!

“The Geostationary Lightning Mapper aboard NOAA’s #GOESEast captured this view of all the lightning associated with #HurricaneDorian2019 in the morning hours of Aug. 30, 2019.”

4pm update: Universities closed amid declaration of emergency

Florida schools will be open today as the hurricane is yet to make landfall. 

Students will go to classes as normal today but will have the day off on Monday after a long weekend for Labor Day. 

Some universities have cancelled classes today and for the first few days of next week. 

3.50pm update: Latest advisory from the NOAA

The latest update from the NOAA reads: “Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h).

“A slower west-northwestward to westward motion should begin tonight and continue into early next week.

“On this track, the core of Dorian should move over the Atlantic well north of the southeastern and central Bahamas today and tomorrow, be near or over the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday, and be near the Florida peninsula late Monday.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts.”

“Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane later today, and it will remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane while it moves near the northwestern Bahamas and approaches the Florida peninsula into early next week.

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km).”

3.40pm update: Hurricane Dorian evacuation zones mapped

Hurricane Dorian forced Florida Mayor Rick DeSantis to declare a state of emergency for all of Florida’s 67 states. 

Officials warned people needed to “prepare now” as the storm swoops down towards the southeastern state. 

The declaration will provide the state with the resources needed to weather the storm and protect residents while fierce winds rip through the US. 

A full list of evacuated areas and advice from Mr DeSantis can be found here.

Hurricane Dorian live

Hurricane Dorian live: King Tides could cause Hurricane Dorian to make an even worse impact (Image: TROPICAL TIDBITS)

2.55pm update: Fuel shortage across Florida as Dorian heads toward the state

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said there is a fuel shortage across the state as Hurricane Dorian approaches.

Mr DeSantis said they are taking steps to fix this issue.

He said: “We, in the emergency declaration, waived service and truck rates for fuel trucks so we can increase capacity for fuel being brought in. We’re also going to be starting today implementing Florida Highway Patrol escorts for fuel trucks so we can increase fueling in critical parts of the state.”

2.29pm update: School and university closure information for Florida

There are no schools open in Florida on Monday as it is Labour Day, and children will go to school as usual on Friday.

Florida International University – all classes cancelled

The University of Miami has cancelled classes at the Coral Gables, marine and medical campuses beginning at noon Friday through Tuesday – they are expected to resume on Wednesday, September 4

Barry University campuses in Miami Shores and the Andreas School of Law in Orlando, as well as all other sites throughout Florida, will close at 5 pm on Friday, August 30, until further notice

Florida Atlantic University campuses will remain open for the remainder of Friday but will be closed Saturday, August 31, through Monday, September 2. A further decision about classes on Tuesday will be announced soon.

Mr DeSantis said on Thursday the Florida Department of Education will post school closures on a special section of its website.

Hurricane Dorian live

Hurricane Dorian live: The power of Hurricane Dorian can be seen on this NASA image (Image: NASA)

2.02pm update: Could a “king tide” make Hurricane Dorian’s impact worse?

As a strengthening Hurricane Dorian heads for landfall along the Florida coast, the storm could coincide with a twice-a-year phenomenon. This could mean even more destruction than a Category 4 hurricane would already bring.

The term “king tide” is a term used to describe an especially high tide event, and happens when there is an alignment of the gravitational pull between the sun and moon in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A tropical system pushed water inland in advance of making landfall. If that happens during a perigean spring tide, it pushes an already abnormally high tide, even higher, adding to property damage and coastline erosion.

King tides do not raise the water levels by an extraordinary amount, but they do raise them. King tides along the east coast of Florida began Monday and are expected to continue through next Tuesday.

NOAA predicts that high tides will be at their highest point on Thursday and Friday evening at Miami Beach.

Hurricane Dorian time map: Hurricane Dorian due to make landfall in Florida on Sunday 8am

Hurricane Dorian time map: Hurricane Dorian due to make landfall in Florida on Sunday 8am (Image: NOAA)

1.40pm update: The Bahamas warned to prepare for “major hurricane conditions”

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said: “The strengthening to a major hurricane is projected to occur while Dorian makes a more westward turn toward the northern Bahamas this weekend.

“People on Abaco and Grand Bahama should prepare for major hurricane conditions to spread westward over the islands spanning Saturday night and Sunday.

“While the exact track of Dorian will determine how severe conditions get on these two major islands in the chain, Cornishtown, Bahamas, near the northernmost point on Abaco could be a hard-hit area.”

1pm update: Latest NHC advisory sees Dorian strengthen

At 8am AST (1pm BST), Dorian was located 255 Miles east-northeast of the southeastern Bahamas, and around 505 miles east of the northwestern Bahamas. 

Dorian has grown in strength, with data from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicating that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts.  

This means if Dorian gets just one mile per hour stronger, it will be a Category 3 hurricane. 

Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue through today.  

A slower west-northwestward to westward motion is forecast to begin tonight and continue through the weekend. 

On this track, Dorian should move over the Atlantic well east of the southeastern and central Bahamas today, approach the northwestern Bahamas Saturday, and move near or over portions of the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday.

12.21pm update: All 67 counties in Florida under a state of emergency

On Thursday, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 19-190, expanding the state of emergency to include all 67 counties in Florida.

In NOAA’s latest forecast advisory it warned the risk of life-threatening storm surge along portions of the Florida east coast has increased.

There is also an increased risk of “devastating” hurricane-force winds along the east coast and peninsula early next week.

NOAA urged: “Residents should have their hurricane plan in place, know if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone, and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.”

Hurricane Dorian wind speeds: Latest map from National Hurricane Center

Hurricane Dorian wind speeds: Latest map from National Hurricane Center (Image: NOAA)

11.42am update: Life-threatening flash floods could be triggered by torrential rainfall in the Bahamas and Florida

Severe hurricane-force winds and torrential rain are forecast to hit both the Bahamas and Florida.

A rainfall radar released by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) shows the extent of rain which is forecast to hit the Southeastern US coast.

According to the map, 15 to 20 inches of rain is possible in some areas, with 10 to 15 possible elsewhere.

The NHC warns this level of rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods.

11.05am update: Bahamas to be first hit by Hurricane-force winds

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dorian will soon develop into a Category 3 hurricane, whipping out winds of between 111 to 129mph.

The horrifying weather system is currently nearing the Bahamas and is expected to smash into the island on Saturday.

10.45am update: Emergency services are preparing ahead of the hurricane

Mr DeSantis revealed Florida has delivered 860,000 bottles of water to counties ahead of the storm.

Over one million gallons of water and 1.8 million meals will be ready for distribution.

To aid response, 15 urban search-and-rescue teams are standing by.

Hurricane Dorian LIVE

Hurricane Dorian LIVE: Florida’s Governor tweeted to say he had reached out to the President (Image: TWITTER)

10.27am update: Latest location of Hurricane Dorian

As of the 10am BST (5am AST) update, Dorian was located approximately 260 miles east northeast of the southeastern Bahamas, and around 530 miles east of the northwestern Bahamas.

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts.

Strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane later today.

10.08am update: New hurricane watch issued

A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the northwestern Bahamas, where the risk of life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds this weekend has continued to increase.

Residents should begin to execute their hurricane plans and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.

Hurricane Dorian LIVE

Hurricane Dorian LIVE: Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane later today (Image: NOAA)

10am update: NOAA latest update warns Dorian will become major hurricane later today

National Hurricane Center has warned that Dorian will become major later today and a hurricane watch has been issued for the Bahamas.

9.38am update: Florida governor demands pre-landfall disaster alert

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has tweeted to say he has sent a letter to Donald Trump, asking him to declare a pre-landfall disaster alert for Florida.

Mr DeSantis wrote: “With #HurricaneDorian strengthening, I have sent a letter to President @RealDonaldTrump requesting that he declare a pre-landfall disaster for all of Florida’s 67 counties.]

“Thank you, Mr. President for your continued support of Florida.”

In the letter Mr DeSantis wrote: “The trajectory of this storm remains uncertain, and this declaration will provide us with the necessary resources to ensure the state is fully prepared.

“I am confident the President will grant my request and show his full support for Florida

9.16am update: Staggering satellite images from NASA show the extent of Hurricane Dorian

From a vantage point 250 miles (400 kilometers) above the storm, NASA’s CubeSat used a miniaturized radio-wave-based instrument to see through the clouds, revealing areas with heavy rain and moisture being pulled into the storm.

The green colours show moisture spiralling into the storm’s centre, and the yellow to pink colours correspond to the most intense rainfall. 

Hurricane Dorian LIVE

Hurricane Dorian LIVE: Since 1997, hurricanes cost the US $161.6billion (Image: EXPRESS)

8.38am update: President Trump cancelled trip to Poland due to the hurricane 

US President Donald Trump has cancelled a trip to Poland because of the hurricane.

He told reporters outside the White House on Thursday: “It’s very important for me to be here.

“[It] looks like it could be a very, very big one.

“I have decided to send our vice-president, Mike Pence, to Poland this weekend in my place.”

7.59am update: The Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale

Category 1 hurricane – Wind speeds of 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr), very dangerous winds will produce some damage

Category 2 hurricane – Wind speeds of 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr), extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage

Category 3 hurricane – Wind speeds of 111-129 mph (96-112 kt or 178-208 km/hr), devastating damage will occur

Category 4 hurricane – Wind speeds of 130-156 mph (113-136 kt or 209-251 km/hr), catastrophic damage will occur

Category 5 hurricane – Wind speeds of 157 mph or higher (137 kt or higher or 252 km/hr or higher), catastrophic damage will occur

Hurricane Dorian LIVE

Hurricane Dorian LIVE: Satellite images show the churning mass of winds which make up Dorian (Image: REUTERS)

7.37am update: Dorian could be the strongest hurricane to hit Florida’s east coast since hurricane Andrew

With meteorologists forecasting significant strengthening as Dorian tracks through the Atlantic Ocean, there is the potential for it to become the strongest hurricane to hit Florida’s east coast in almost three decades.

Hurricane Andrew smashed the east coast of Florida in 1992, and should Dorian make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, it would be stronger than Andrew.

7.02am update: Latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC)

As of their 11pm AST (5am BST) update, the NHC placed hurricane Dorian around 295miles east-northeast of the southeastern Bahamas, and around 580 miles east of the northwestern Bahamas.

Maximum sustained winds are being recorded as 105mph, with Dorian forecast to become a major hurricane by Friday night.

Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue through Friday.

On its current track, Dorian should move over the Atlantic well east of the southeastern and central Bahamas tonight and on Friday, approach the northwestern Bahamas Saturday, and move near or over portions of the northwest Bahamas on Sunday.

source: express.co.uk