US states declare emergency over Hurricane Dorian

Florida, Dorian, Hurricane Dorian, US, emergency

Washington - Dorian could be the strongest direct hit to Florida's east coast since hurricane Andrew in 1992.

By IANS

Published: Fri 30 Aug 2019, 8:15 AM

Last updated: Fri 30 Aug 2019, 11:37 AM

The US states of Florida and Georgia have declared a state of emergency as the powerful Hurricane Dorian is expected to hit the region in the days ahead.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida on Thursday expanded the state of emergency declaration he issued for 26 counties to one that covers all of the 67 counties in the state "due to hurricane Dorian's uncertain projected path", Xinhua news agency reported.
"All residents, especially those along the east coast, need to be prepared for possible impacts," DeSantis said in a statement.
DeSantis added that he has activated more than 2,500 Florida National Guard troops.

Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia declared a state of emergency in 12 counties in the southern coastal area of the state.
Urging residents in Georgia "to be ready to move quickly," Kemp said little is known about "the initial or the path that the storm will take", but more information will come within the next 24 hours.

If the current forecast for #Dorian is correct, the United States will have three straight years with a major #hurricane landfall (Category 3 or stronger). That hasn't happened in nearly 60 years: https://t.co/uwhnpupKjA pic.twitter.com/0ZJmYYWBYt
- The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 30, 2019

"There's a lot of moving parts right now that our counterparts in Florida are dealing with, and then we're also preparing as well for whatever happens," he added.
According to the latest forecast by the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) issued at 5pm on Thursday, Dorian, now near the Bahamas, is still a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 km per hour. It is moving northwestward near 20 kmph.
The NHC expected Dorian to strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane with peak winds of 209 km per hour by Sunday, possibly making landfall by September 2 in the east coast of Florida.

There's an increasing chance for #Dorian to bring a triple-threat of dangers to the Florida east coast...

??life-threatening storm surge
???devastating hurricane-force winds
???heavy rains

The onset of tropical storm force winds could be as soon as Saturday evening.
Prepare NOW. pic.twitter.com/Moes49tcyu
- National Weather Service (@NWS) August 29, 2019

According to forecasters, Dorian could be the strongest direct hit to Florida's east coast since hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Trump cancels Poland trip
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he decided to cancel a planned trip to Poland during the weekend and stay in Washington "to ensure that all resources of the federal government are focused on the coming storm".
Speaking at the Rose Garden of the White House, Trump said Vice President Mike Pence will travel in his place.

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!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2019

"It's something very important for me to be here. The storm looks like it could be a very, very big one indeed."

Meanwhile, airlines have cancelled 83 flights to, from and within the US, according to FlightAware.com.

Seventy-eight flights were cancelled Thursday and five have been cancelled for Friday.

More flights were likely to be cancelled on Sunday.