Florida Braces For Hurricane Dorian

West Palm Beach, Florida (850 WFTL)

Hurricane Dorian has strengthened to a category 2 storm with 105 mph winds and slowed down slightly to 12 mph forward speed toward Florida, but forecasters believe the storm may slam into the east coast as a category 4 storm.

If it stays on that path, the storm should move over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas on Thursday and Friday, when it is predicted to strengthen further as it eyes Florida.

Nearly the entire state is now in the cone, and forecasters think Dorian will make landfall Monday as a category 4 hurricane with sustained winds in excess of 130 mph. A category 4 hurricane has wind speeds of between 130 and 156 mph.

Latest NHC advisory here.

Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the entire state and is now urging Floridians to take precautions as Hurricane Dorian gains strengthens in the Caribbean and continues on a potential path to our state.

President Trump is warning Florida to be prepared as Hurricane Dorian approaches.

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