Hurricane Dorian continues to approach the east coast of Florida as a powerful category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds at 150mph. This is the latest information coming into our newsroom.
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Saturday, August 31
10 p.m.
- Orlando International Airport lifts planned closure on Monday, Sept 2 due to updated track of Hurricane Dorian. Airport officials say operations will continue as normal.
8 p.m.
- Air Force Hurricane Hunter Aircraft reaffirms Dorian's category four strength.
- In the Bahamas, tourists were sent to government shelters in schools, churches and other buildings offering protection from the storm while residents were evacuating.
7 p.m.
- Florida Power & Light says it has welcomed thousands of workers from 34 states, as well as Canada in preps for restoration efforts. They assembled at the Daytona Speedway.
6 p.m.
- Spectrum opens more than 32,000 WiFi hot spots in Florida in preparation for Hurricane Dorian. The hot spots range from Volusia County to Pinellas County and are open to all users until further notice.
5 p.m.
- A tropical storm watch is now in effect for parts of Florida's east coast, from Deerfield Beach to the Sebastian Inlet. The storm is expected to move close to the coast late Monday through Tuesday.
- The National Hurricane Center says the storm will hit the northwestern Bahamas hard on Sunday.
4 p.m.
- Brevard County delays mandatory evacuations until 8 a.m. Monday.
"This is not your government saying we're out of harm's way," said Public Safety Director Matt Wallace. "This is still a killer storm. We want our residents to remain vigilant, to protect your family and loved ones and to make smart decisions.
3:40 p.m.
- Several Tampa Bay area counties and cities have shifted their sandbag location times. Stay up-to-date here.
1 p.m.
- Gov. DeSantis urges Florida residents to remain prepared even though the path of Dorian has shifted east.
“Although the path of Dorian has shifted, the entire East Coast is still vulnerable to significant impacts,” said Governor DeSantis. “These impacts include flooding, increased wind speeds and high waves. Floridians in counties along the East Coast should continue to monitor the storm’s path, heed all warnings from local law enforcement and remain vigilant.”
“At this point, the only thing consistent about this storm has been its inconsistency,” said Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz. “We are urging every Floridian to continue to pay attention to this storm. Even though the track of Hurricane Dorian has shifted east, we are still looking at the possibility of high winds and flooding along most of the East Coast. At the state level, we are preparing for a number of scenarios related to this storm – we urge every resident to do the same.”
12 p.m.
- South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declares State of Emergency ahead of potentional impact from Hurricane Dorian.
“Given the strength and unpredictability of the storm, we must prepare for every possible scenario,” said Gov. McMaster. “State assets are being mobilized now and Team South Carolina is working around the clock to be ready, if necessary. We encourage all South Carolinians who may be impacted by Hurricane Dorian to be vigilant and prepare now – there is no reason for delay.”
11 a.m.
- Hurricane Dorian continues to strengthen, with maximum sustained winds are 150mph as of NHC's 11 a.m. update. The storm is expected to move toward Florida's east coast late Monday through Tuesday.
9 a.m.
- Pinellas County declares local state of emergency ahead of Dorian.
HURRICANE CENTER | ABC Action News Hurricane Center
8 a.m.
- Hurricane Dorian remains a powerful category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds at 145mph as of the National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. update. It is located 445 miles east of West Palm Beach.
Catch up on what happened on Thursday and Friday here.
7 a.m.
- SNAP benefits released early to every Florida county ahead of Dorian. People who receive SNAP benefits will be able to access them through their EBT cards at 12 p.m. on Saturday.