Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas yesterday as a Category 5 major hurricane, with sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts over 220 mph, making it a “catastrophic” storm with “devastating winds,” according to the National Hurricane Center.
As the current forecast stands, Central Florida will feel impacts on Tuesday and Wednesday. Additional Hurricane Warnings have been issued for Jupiter, Inlet Florida to the Brevard/Volusia County, Florida Line and Hurricane Watches issued for Volusia County.
Per the Orlando Sentinel,
Central Florida is not projected to take a direct hit but could begin to see residual impact from the slow-moving storm Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Governor Ron DeSantis’ warnings to Floridians about Hurricane Dorian grew more dire Sunday, as he also ordered the suspension of tolls.
“It’s important for people to understand if you’re in an evacuation zone and you’re given an order to evacuate, please heed that call,” DeSantis said during a briefing at the state Emergency Operations Center. “This storm at this magnitude could really cause massive destruction, and do not put your life in jeopardy by staying behind when you have a chance to get out.”
“More tropical watches are expected through the day for Central Florida, as we anticipate the worst weather arriving on Tuesday and lingering through early Wednesday,” FOX 35 meteorologist Brooks Tomlin said Sunday after the 2 p.m. update.
Orlando International Airport stated it would lift its original plans to close on Monday, September 2nd and will be continuing commercial flights until further notice.
As a reminder, tolls have also been suspended to help ease congestion with evacuees leaving the southeast coast of Florida ahead of Hurricane Dorian. The following tolls have been suspended:
- Florida Turnpike
- Beachline (SR 528)
- SR 417
- SR 408
- SR 414
- SR 429
- Sawgrass Expressway (SR 869)
- Alligator Alley
You can read up on Walt Disney World’s hurricane policy here.
