Hurricane Dorian is expected to be a major Category 4 storm when it makes landfall in Florida over the Labor Day weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm — which is now a Category 1, with sustained winds of 85 mph — is about 370 miles from the southeastern Bahamas as it churns through the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean at 13 mph.
“All of the intensity models forecast Dorian to begin strengthening again soon, and rapid intensification could occur,” according to the latest advisory by the NHC.
When it hits Category 4 status, Dorian will be packing sustained winds of at least 130 mph and is expected to make landfall along the Florida coast early Monday, officials said.
People prepare for Hurricane Dorian at MacFarlane Park in Tampa, FloridaZUMAPRESS.comNHC director Ken Graham warned that many parts of the Sunshine State will feel the storm’s effects hours before it arrives.
“Please don’t think this is just coastal,” Graham said in an 11 a.m. update Thursday. “This is over the whole state.”
President Trump said Florida is “going to be totally ready” for Dorian.
During an interview on Brian Kilmeade’s Fox News radio show, the president said he spoke with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday night and that “He’s all set.”
“We were ready in Puerto Rico and we’re ready also in Florida,” Trump said.
