President Trump travels to FEMA Headquarters for a briefing on the current state of storm preparedness in advance of Hurricane Dorian having impact on the U.S. coastline.

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WHITE HOUSE – President Donald J. Trump received a briefing today from senior members of his Administration and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia, Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina, and Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina on the Federal and State efforts underway to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Dorian at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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Florida has suspended all roadway tolls as intensely powerful Hurricane Dorian continues a slow westward track over the Bahamas.  There is a great deal of uncertainty on the timing of any northward shift… Everyone on the east coast of Florida pay attention.
The eye-wall of category-five hurricane Dorian now carries 185 mph winds outward 45 miles from center.  This presents a 90-mile-wide buzzsaw of devastating impact.  It cannot be overstated how dangerous this storm has become.  Very few structures can withstand winds of that scale for any prolonged duration of time.  [Hurricane Center Update]

This is a ‘topography changing’ event.

At 200 PM EDT (1800 UTC), the extremely distinct eye of Hurricane Dorian was located near latitude 26.5 North, longitude 77.1 West. Dorian is moving toward the west near 7 mph (11 km/h). A slower westward motion should continue for the next day or two, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest. On this track, the core of extremely dangerous Hurricane Dorian will continue to pound Great Abaco today and the move near or over Grand Bahama Island tonight and Monday. The hurricane should move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday night.
Maximum sustained winds are near 185 mph (295 km/h) with higher gusts. Dorian is a extremely dangerous category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely, and Dorian is expected to remain a catastrophic hurricane during the next few days.
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Hurricane Dorian now presents a 150mph wind force extending 30 miles from center.  That is a 60 mile-wide category-4 wind field.  A very powerful and dangerous storm. A rapid turn north is expected; the question is ‘when‘? A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for: Deerfield Beach to the Sebastian Inlet on Florida’s east coast.
In addition to Florida, residents in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina should be monitoring this storm closely.  Pay attention to local officials.

At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Dorian was located near latitude 26.3 North, longitude 75.1 West. Dorian is moving toward the west near 8 mph (13 km/h), and a slower westward motion should continue for the next day or two, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest. On this track, the core of Dorian should be near or over portions of the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday, and move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday.
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Hurricane Dorian has intensified and slowed. The forecast track has shifted right (east) and now extends from Florida into Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.  After Dorian impacts the Bahamas the forecast path will be more certain; until then, prepare for worst and keep praying for a right turn where Dorian stays out in Atlantic.
At 1100 AM EDT (1500 UTC), the distinct eye of Hurricane Dorian was located near latitude 26.0 North, longitude 73.4 West. Dorian is moving toward the west near 8 mph (13 km/h) and a slower westward motion should 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, be near or over the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday, and move near the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday.

Data from both NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter planes indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 150 mph (240km/h) with higher gusts. Dorian is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely, but Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few days. (read more)
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As anticipated Hurricane Dorian has gained strength.  With winds of 140mph, Dorian is a dangerous category-4 storm. All interests in Florida are advised to pay close attention. Discussion follows update:
At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Dorian was located near latitude 25.5 North, longitude 71.4 West.  Dorian is moving toward the west-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 tonight and tomorrow, be near or over the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday, and be near the Florida east coast late Monday.

Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Dorian is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is possible tonight and Saturday. Although fluctuations in intensity are possible early next week, Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few days. (link)
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[National Hurricane Center] At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Dorian was located near latitude 24.5 North, longitude 69.8 West. 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. (more)
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We have a lot of Treepers in the path of this storm.  If you need assistance, use the comments section of any Dorian Update thread to reach out, or use the email address in the upper right of the site.  [National Hurricane Center 11pm EST update]
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts. Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane on Friday and remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through the weekend. (more)

Right now you are in control.  Have a solid plan, work that plan – stay busy, and don’t get caught up in the hysteria.  Try to avoid national media hype. Stay updated via your local news stations. Saturday looks like the key day impact zones will be identified.  Reach out to your neighbors; touch-base and check to see if they are okay or need anything.  I always say the community restoration begins before the storm arrives. Look out for each-other.
Regarding any evacuation plan, please pay attention to your local officials who will be coordinating with state Dept. of Transportation.  As the path and impact zone of the storm becomes more predictable your local officials will alert to best route for evacuation.
For those in the cone of uncertainty; remember, planning and proactive measures taken now can significantly reduce stress in the days ahead.  Plan when to make the best decision on any evacuation (if needed) consider Saturday mid-day the decision time-frame. As a general rule: take cover from wind – but evacuate away from water.
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[National Hurricane Center] At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Dorian was located near latitude 21.4 North, longitude 67.2 West. Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue through Friday. A west-northwestward motion is forecast to begin by Friday night and continue into the weekend.

On this track, Dorian should move over the Atlantic well east of the southeastern and central Bahamas today and on Friday, approach the northwestern Bahamas Saturday, and move near or over portions of the northwest Bahamas on Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane on Friday, and remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through the weekend. (more)
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Prep suggestions follow update. At 11:00pm EST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Dorian was located near latitude 19.7 North, longitude 66.0 West. Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue through Friday. [National Hurricane Center]

On this track, Dorian should move over the Atlantic well east of the southeastern and central Bahamas on Thursday and Friday.  Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Dorian is forecast to strengthen into a powerful hurricane during the next couple of days (more).
For those in the cone of uncertainty; remember, planning and proactive measures taken now can significantly reduce stress in the days ahead.  Plan when to make the best decision on any evacuation (if needed) consider Friday night the decision time-frame. As a general rule: take cover from wind – but evacuate away from water.
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This storm is a little squirly and everyone should keep an eye on the forecast in the next 48 to 72 hrs.  The good news is Dorian is expected to miss Puerto Rico; the bad news is Dorian is expected to miss Puerto Rico.  Traveling over PR would have significantly weakened the storm; a glancing skirt of PR means the storm will retain energy/strength.
While there is no cause for alarm, interests in Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina should keep an eye on the forecast; and it would be prudent to review your storm preparedness plans, take inventory of your supplies and make updates or plan to replenish as more information is provided in the next 24/48hrs. [Tips Available Here]

Five Days Out: ♦ Evaluate your status. ♦ Pay attention to updates. ♦ Be Proactive.
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