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| Hurricane Dorian’s Reach Sprawls From Bahamas to Florida | Hurricane Dorian’s Reach Sprawls From Bahamas to Florida |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The National Hurricane Center warned in its 2 a.m. update on Wednesday that within the next 36 hours, most of the Southeast coast, from Jupiter in central Florida all the way to Surf City, N.C., faced “a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline.” Storm surge warnings were posted for that whole region, with watches for areas on either side. In some parts of North and South Carolina, the surge could be between 4 and 7 feet above ground. | |
| “Water levels could begin to rise well in advance of the arrival of strong winds,” the center warned, adding that the surge would be accompanied by large and destructive waves. In some places on the coast, seawater could rise to seven feet above normal tidal levels. | “Water levels could begin to rise well in advance of the arrival of strong winds,” the center warned, adding that the surge would be accompanied by large and destructive waves. In some places on the coast, seawater could rise to seven feet above normal tidal levels. |
| Dorian was moving a bit faster, at 7 miles an hour, toward the northwest, and it was expected to keep up that speed or gain a little more early Wednesday, the center said. Its maximum sustained winds remained steady at 110 miles an hour, and forecasters expect little change in its strength. By Wednesday evening, the storm was expected to turn to a more northerly track. | |
| The storm is expected to move “dangerously close” to Florida and Georgia through Wednesday night, and Dorian’s center could be close to the South and North Carolina coast from Thursday to Friday morning, the center said. | The storm is expected to move “dangerously close” to Florida and Georgia through Wednesday night, and Dorian’s center could be close to the South and North Carolina coast from Thursday to Friday morning, the center said. |
| With the center of the storm less than 100 miles east of Cape Canaveral, Fla., Hurricane Dorian was whipping Florida on Tuesday evening with tropical-storm-force winds, which extended out about 175 miles from the center. | With the center of the storm less than 100 miles east of Cape Canaveral, Fla., Hurricane Dorian was whipping Florida on Tuesday evening with tropical-storm-force winds, which extended out about 175 miles from the center. |
| A tornado or two near the coast of Florida was possible, the center said. The storm’s stronger hurricane-force winds, which extended about 60 miles from the center, remained some hours away from reaching the mainland but were likely to do so overnight. | A tornado or two near the coast of Florida was possible, the center said. The storm’s stronger hurricane-force winds, which extended about 60 miles from the center, remained some hours away from reaching the mainland but were likely to do so overnight. |
| As he described Hurricane Dorian as one of the greatest crises the Bahamas has ever faced, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced on Tuesday night that the official death count increased to seven on Great Abaco. | As he described Hurricane Dorian as one of the greatest crises the Bahamas has ever faced, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced on Tuesday night that the official death count increased to seven on Great Abaco. |
| Mr. Minnis refused to confirm any deaths on Grand Bahama, but he noted that the government is expecting more casualties. | Mr. Minnis refused to confirm any deaths on Grand Bahama, but he noted that the government is expecting more casualties. |
| The prime minister said that in Marsh Harbour, Abaco’s capital, roughly 60 percent of homes were badly damaged. | The prime minister said that in Marsh Harbour, Abaco’s capital, roughly 60 percent of homes were badly damaged. |
| [Read more about what the prime minister of the Bahamas called a “historic tragedy.”] | [Read more about what the prime minister of the Bahamas called a “historic tragedy.”] |
| He said Marsh Harbour’s area was underwater and “looks like a lake.” He noted that Treasure Cay’s airport is O.K., but that the roads are flooded. He also said the Haitian shantytown known as the Mudd was “completely destroyed or decimated.” | He said Marsh Harbour’s area was underwater and “looks like a lake.” He noted that Treasure Cay’s airport is O.K., but that the roads are flooded. He also said the Haitian shantytown known as the Mudd was “completely destroyed or decimated.” |
| Mr. Minnis said the government is sending police and defense force officers to the island to address safety and security concerns. He said the government hopes to prevent the security issues, such as violence and looting, often seen in other countries following disasters. | Mr. Minnis said the government is sending police and defense force officers to the island to address safety and security concerns. He said the government hopes to prevent the security issues, such as violence and looting, often seen in other countries following disasters. |
| The United States Coast Guard has sent seven helicopters to the Bahamas to help with rescue efforts, but the continued severe weather was making it difficult for them to reach the hardest-hit islands, Rear Adm. Todd Sokalzuk said on Tuesday. | The United States Coast Guard has sent seven helicopters to the Bahamas to help with rescue efforts, but the continued severe weather was making it difficult for them to reach the hardest-hit islands, Rear Adm. Todd Sokalzuk said on Tuesday. |
| Admiral Sokalzuk, the deputy commander of the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area, said that about 35 people had been evacuated by helicopter from Marsh Harbour, the main town in the Abaco Islands. Some had been injured by the storm; others were patients hospitalized at a local clinic that was damaged. | Admiral Sokalzuk, the deputy commander of the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area, said that about 35 people had been evacuated by helicopter from Marsh Harbour, the main town in the Abaco Islands. Some had been injured by the storm; others were patients hospitalized at a local clinic that was damaged. |
| Low visibility and high turbulence have thwarted helicopters from getting to Grand Bahama Island despite two days of trying, the admiral said. “At this point we have only been getting somewhat west of the Abacos,” the admiral said. “We are very anxious for the weather to clear to get into Grand Bahama Island.” | Low visibility and high turbulence have thwarted helicopters from getting to Grand Bahama Island despite two days of trying, the admiral said. “At this point we have only been getting somewhat west of the Abacos,” the admiral said. “We are very anxious for the weather to clear to get into Grand Bahama Island.” |
| The admiral said airports on both Grand Bahama and Great Abaco were still awash with seawater, and roads had been washed out. “Based on the devastation we have seen in the Abacos, we think it will probably be worse in Grand Bahama,” he added. “Because the storm sat there for so long, there is probably increased damage. There are potentially more people that need assistance.” | The admiral said airports on both Grand Bahama and Great Abaco were still awash with seawater, and roads had been washed out. “Based on the devastation we have seen in the Abacos, we think it will probably be worse in Grand Bahama,” he added. “Because the storm sat there for so long, there is probably increased damage. There are potentially more people that need assistance.” |
| The United States Customs and Border Protection also sent a helicopter and, at the request of the Bahamian government, is helping to ferry Royal Bahamian Police Force officers to the affected islands and then evacuate injured people on the return trip, the admiral said. | The United States Customs and Border Protection also sent a helicopter and, at the request of the Bahamian government, is helping to ferry Royal Bahamian Police Force officers to the affected islands and then evacuate injured people on the return trip, the admiral said. |
| Hurricane Dorian, now a Category 2 storm, is finally inching away from the Bahamas, where rescue missions were hampered on Tuesday because so many police and government vehicles were submerged in seawater that was only just beginning to recede. | Hurricane Dorian, now a Category 2 storm, is finally inching away from the Bahamas, where rescue missions were hampered on Tuesday because so many police and government vehicles were submerged in seawater that was only just beginning to recede. |
| The storm, which hit the northern Bahamas as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, has pummeled the islands for more than two days with unrelenting rain and wind, and has killed at least seven people there. It is highly unusual for a storm of Hurricane Dorian’s magnitude to halt and hover over land, as it did in the Bahamas. | The storm, which hit the northern Bahamas as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, has pummeled the islands for more than two days with unrelenting rain and wind, and has killed at least seven people there. It is highly unusual for a storm of Hurricane Dorian’s magnitude to halt and hover over land, as it did in the Bahamas. |
| By Tuesday evening its center had moved nearly 100 miles north of Grand Bahama Island and was creeping northwest. But tropical storm conditions were not expected to end in the Grand Bahama area for several more hours, said Kevin D. Harris, director general of the Bahamas Information Center. | By Tuesday evening its center had moved nearly 100 miles north of Grand Bahama Island and was creeping northwest. But tropical storm conditions were not expected to end in the Grand Bahama area for several more hours, said Kevin D. Harris, director general of the Bahamas Information Center. |
| Emergency offices received at least 200 frantic calls from people stranded on their rooftops or attics. Responders were trying to help after the eye passed over the island, but “some of the bigger vehicles, dump trucks and fire engines are trying to get through the water,” Mr. Harris said. | Emergency offices received at least 200 frantic calls from people stranded on their rooftops or attics. Responders were trying to help after the eye passed over the island, but “some of the bigger vehicles, dump trucks and fire engines are trying to get through the water,” Mr. Harris said. |
| There was so much water that government offices, including the government radio station, had to move out of the lower floors of buildings. A government minister who was stuck in his flooded home was rescued, Mr. Harris said. | There was so much water that government offices, including the government radio station, had to move out of the lower floors of buildings. A government minister who was stuck in his flooded home was rescued, Mr. Harris said. |
| “Some folks were in more of a desperate situation than others,” he said. “We are seeing unprecedented levels of water. ” | “Some folks were in more of a desperate situation than others,” he said. “We are seeing unprecedented levels of water. ” |
| He said there was deep concern for the Abaco Islands, which took the full brunt of the hurricane, because many Haitian migrants live there in two shantytowns, known as the Mudd and Pigeon Peas. Videos showed stunned residents of the island looking at crumpled cars, smashed homes, piles of debris and contorted trees. | He said there was deep concern for the Abaco Islands, which took the full brunt of the hurricane, because many Haitian migrants live there in two shantytowns, known as the Mudd and Pigeon Peas. Videos showed stunned residents of the island looking at crumpled cars, smashed homes, piles of debris and contorted trees. |
| [Read more here about the destruction on the Abaco Islands.] | [Read more here about the destruction on the Abaco Islands.] |
| “We are already hearing from residents that whole towns have been wiped out and devastated,” Mr. Harris said. “This is going to be a big search-and-rescue and rebuilding effort. I don’t think we have seen anything as bad as this. This one is for the history books.” | “We are already hearing from residents that whole towns have been wiped out and devastated,” Mr. Harris said. “This is going to be a big search-and-rescue and rebuilding effort. I don’t think we have seen anything as bad as this. This one is for the history books.” |
| Forecasters said the hurricane would move “dangerously close” to the Florida coast, beginning late Tuesday night and continuing through Wednesday evening. Then it is expected to move northward to affect the Georgia and South Carolina coasts beginning late on Wednesday. By the end of the week it is expected to be shadowing the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia. | Forecasters said the hurricane would move “dangerously close” to the Florida coast, beginning late Tuesday night and continuing through Wednesday evening. Then it is expected to move northward to affect the Georgia and South Carolina coasts beginning late on Wednesday. By the end of the week it is expected to be shadowing the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia. |
| [President Trump’s hurricane-related tweets were delivered with the speed of a hailstorm over the weekend.] | [President Trump’s hurricane-related tweets were delivered with the speed of a hailstorm over the weekend.] |
| Even if the hurricane’s center does not cross the coastline, powerful winds and rain are all but certain to disrupt life in the region. The storm has grown in size as it has weakened in strength, and its hurricane-force winds were extending outward as far as 60 miles from its center on Tuesday, up from 45 miles on Sunday. Winds of tropical-storm force extended as far as 175 miles from the center. | Even if the hurricane’s center does not cross the coastline, powerful winds and rain are all but certain to disrupt life in the region. The storm has grown in size as it has weakened in strength, and its hurricane-force winds were extending outward as far as 60 miles from its center on Tuesday, up from 45 miles on Sunday. Winds of tropical-storm force extended as far as 175 miles from the center. |
| Much of Florida’s eastern coast is also likely to be hit with dangerous storm surges. | Much of Florida’s eastern coast is also likely to be hit with dangerous storm surges. |
| [Here’s what our photographers are seeing as Florida braces for a major hurricane.] | [Here’s what our photographers are seeing as Florida braces for a major hurricane.] |
| Rain bands and tropical storm-strength winds pelted Palm Beach County on Tuesday morning. The authorities cautioned that residents should remain indoors throughout the day, and people appeared to be heeding the advice. But some people ventured outside, including a few wading in ankle-deep storm surge during high tide at a waterfront park in Lantana. | Rain bands and tropical storm-strength winds pelted Palm Beach County on Tuesday morning. The authorities cautioned that residents should remain indoors throughout the day, and people appeared to be heeding the advice. But some people ventured outside, including a few wading in ankle-deep storm surge during high tide at a waterfront park in Lantana. |
| A spokesman for Florida Power & Light, the state’s giant utility, said it had restored electricity for some 70,000 customers through 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Most of the disruptions had been caused by windblown trees and vegetation falling on lines and equipment, the utility said. | A spokesman for Florida Power & Light, the state’s giant utility, said it had restored electricity for some 70,000 customers through 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Most of the disruptions had been caused by windblown trees and vegetation falling on lines and equipment, the utility said. |
| In Jacksonville, Mayor Lenny Curry warned that the window to prepare for the hurricane was quickly closing. The city was deploying teams to rescue residents and clear roads as needed. | In Jacksonville, Mayor Lenny Curry warned that the window to prepare for the hurricane was quickly closing. The city was deploying teams to rescue residents and clear roads as needed. |
| “Today is your last day to get prepared,” Mr. Curry said. “This is no time to rest and think that everything’s going to be O.K.” | “Today is your last day to get prepared,” Mr. Curry said. “This is no time to rest and think that everything’s going to be O.K.” |
| Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina told reporters on Tuesday that 244,000 people had already left the coastal regions of the state, where a mandatory evacuation had been ordered. State officials issued the order for all or part of eight coastal counties, an area whose population is roughly 830,000. | Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina told reporters on Tuesday that 244,000 people had already left the coastal regions of the state, where a mandatory evacuation had been ordered. State officials issued the order for all or part of eight coastal counties, an area whose population is roughly 830,000. |
| Mr. McMaster said that residents should take Hurricane Dorian seriously, saying that up to 10 inches of rain was expected and that flooding was all but inevitable. | Mr. McMaster said that residents should take Hurricane Dorian seriously, saying that up to 10 inches of rain was expected and that flooding was all but inevitable. |
| “There’s plenty of gas and plenty of room to leave,” Mr. McMaster said, adding, “You can always come back.” | “There’s plenty of gas and plenty of room to leave,” Mr. McMaster said, adding, “You can always come back.” |
| In the low-lying and flood-prone city of Charleston, S.C., city officials began distributing sandbags at 8 a.m. Tuesday, and opened parking garages to give residents a safer place to store their cars. The city is within the mandatory evacuation area. | In the low-lying and flood-prone city of Charleston, S.C., city officials began distributing sandbags at 8 a.m. Tuesday, and opened parking garages to give residents a safer place to store their cars. The city is within the mandatory evacuation area. |
| As residents of Florida’s Atlantic coast stirred from days of storm anxiety and being stuck indoors, Gov. Ron DeSantis reminded them that Hurricane Dorian’s threat was not over. Many counties will only now start feeling the hurricane’s effects as it crawls north. | As residents of Florida’s Atlantic coast stirred from days of storm anxiety and being stuck indoors, Gov. Ron DeSantis reminded them that Hurricane Dorian’s threat was not over. Many counties will only now start feeling the hurricane’s effects as it crawls north. |
| “I appreciate a lot of Floridians hanging in there,” Mr. DeSantis said. “We’re here until the duration, monitoring this thing.” | “I appreciate a lot of Floridians hanging in there,” Mr. DeSantis said. “We’re here until the duration, monitoring this thing.” |
| [Read more here about Florida’s hurricane lessons here.] | [Read more here about Florida’s hurricane lessons here.] |
| George Recktenwald, the administrator of Volusia County, said he knew residents were getting “antsy.” But he noted that the hurricane’s 110 m.p.h. winds were just 1 m.p.h. below Category 3, and that the storm would swipe the coast for the next 24 hours, even though it did not seem likely that it would make landfall there. | George Recktenwald, the administrator of Volusia County, said he knew residents were getting “antsy.” But he noted that the hurricane’s 110 m.p.h. winds were just 1 m.p.h. below Category 3, and that the storm would swipe the coast for the next 24 hours, even though it did not seem likely that it would make landfall there. |
| Farther south, in Indian River County, officials lifted a mandatory coastal evacuation order, but they asked residents to avoid storm “sightseeing.” | Farther south, in Indian River County, officials lifted a mandatory coastal evacuation order, but they asked residents to avoid storm “sightseeing.” |
| “Stay close to home,” Jason Brown, the county administrator, said. | “Stay close to home,” Jason Brown, the county administrator, said. |
| Residents began evacuating on Tuesday from the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas, as meteorologists warned that Hurricane Dorian would probably bring tornadoes, life-threatening storm surges and dangerous winds along the coasts of the three states into Thursday. | Residents began evacuating on Tuesday from the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas, as meteorologists warned that Hurricane Dorian would probably bring tornadoes, life-threatening storm surges and dangerous winds along the coasts of the three states into Thursday. |
| A mandatory evacuation order took effect for Georgia’s coastal counties at noon on Tuesday. In Savannah, restaurants like Clary’s Café and the Two Cracked Eggs Café were open for breakfast in the morning, but downtown was beginning to empty out, as residents and tourists apparently heeded the passionate plea of Mayor Eddie DeLoach. | A mandatory evacuation order took effect for Georgia’s coastal counties at noon on Tuesday. In Savannah, restaurants like Clary’s Café and the Two Cracked Eggs Café were open for breakfast in the morning, but downtown was beginning to empty out, as residents and tourists apparently heeded the passionate plea of Mayor Eddie DeLoach. |
| “I can’t decide for you, but I’m asking you, as the mayor of Savannah: Please attempt to get out of town as best you can, and come back in a few days and begin your life over and move forward,” Mr. DeLoach said in a public appearance Monday night, according to The Savannah Morning News. | “I can’t decide for you, but I’m asking you, as the mayor of Savannah: Please attempt to get out of town as best you can, and come back in a few days and begin your life over and move forward,” Mr. DeLoach said in a public appearance Monday night, according to The Savannah Morning News. |
| In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper said he would issue an evacuation order for all of the state’s barrier islands, noting that some people had already begun to leave. | In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper said he would issue an evacuation order for all of the state’s barrier islands, noting that some people had already begun to leave. |
| “We’re still hoping this thing will move off to the east, and won’t hit us too bad,” Mr. Cooper said. “We know the forecast does bring it very close, if not onto the North Carolina coast. And so we’re going to be ready for it.” | “We’re still hoping this thing will move off to the east, and won’t hit us too bad,” Mr. Cooper said. “We know the forecast does bring it very close, if not onto the North Carolina coast. And so we’re going to be ready for it.” |
| Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez of Miami-Dade County said the government would begin accepting donations of supplies for the ravaged islands at four sites. | Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez of Miami-Dade County said the government would begin accepting donations of supplies for the ravaged islands at four sites. |
| “We’ll match our thoughts and prayers with action by offering as much assistance as we can in the aftermath of this unprecedented event,” he said, accompanied by local and Bahamian officials at a Tuesday morning news conference. | “We’ll match our thoughts and prayers with action by offering as much assistance as we can in the aftermath of this unprecedented event,” he said, accompanied by local and Bahamian officials at a Tuesday morning news conference. |
| Bahamians were among the first settlers of Miami, and many families can trace their lineage to the archipelago. Some still have relatives there, including Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson of the Miami-Dade County Commission. | Bahamians were among the first settlers of Miami, and many families can trace their lineage to the archipelago. Some still have relatives there, including Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson of the Miami-Dade County Commission. |
| “They are battered, but they are not broken,” she said. | “They are battered, but they are not broken,” she said. |
| Linda Treco-Mackey, the consul general of the Bahamas in Miami, said she hoped Hurricane Dorian would quickly peel north and out to sea. | Linda Treco-Mackey, the consul general of the Bahamas in Miami, said she hoped Hurricane Dorian would quickly peel north and out to sea. |
| “We are, as a people, just hoping that we get past these next few days,” she said. | “We are, as a people, just hoping that we get past these next few days,” she said. |
| Richard Fausset, Elisabeth Malkin, Daniel Victor and Mihir Zaveri contributed reporting. | Richard Fausset, Elisabeth Malkin, Daniel Victor and Mihir Zaveri contributed reporting. |