Rapidly intensifying Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to become a hurricane very soon as it edges closer to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were warned to brace for possible heavy rains and dangerous flash floods, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 a.m. Wednesday update. The storm is expected to grow in size and could hit Category 3 status before reaching Florida’s east coast by early Monday.
Winds continued to pick up, swirling at 70 mph after the storm made its expected northwest turn overnight.
“The latest advisory from NHC is of concern for Central Florida,” Fox 35 meteorologist Jayme King said of Wednesday’s 11 a.m. update. “The forecast track on Dorian by this weekend brings some startling developments. … All residents from the coast into the interior need to prepare should the latest forecast pan out.”
A hurricane warning was issued at the 11 a.m. advisory for Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. President Trump declared an emergency Tuesday night and ordered federal assistance for local authorities.