Hurricane Dorian Aims For Florida As It Strengthens Into Category 3 Storm

Hurricane Dorian is expected to grow in size and strength and is expected to become a Category 3 Hurricane by the time it reaches Florida's east coast by the end of the Labor Day weekend, forecasters said Thursday.

Residents in Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday, as the storm passed over them, leaving the area relatively unscathed. One man in Puerto Rico was killed after he fell from a ladder while preparing his home for the storm. All watches and warnings have been canceled in the region.

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said the storm is currently gathering strength over the warm waters in the Atlantic and is subject to "rapid intensification."

"Dorian is likely to reach major hurricane strength in the next day or two and is forecast to maintain that status until it reaches land," the weather service said. As of Thursday morning, the hurricane was still a Category 1 with winds up to 85 mph.

Forecasters say the hurricane could make landfall anywhere between the Florida Keys and southern Georgia. The southeaster United States is expected to get anywhere between 4 and 8 inches of rain while some areas could see up to 10 inches, forecasters said.

A state of emergency for the 26 counties in Dorian's path has been declared by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who added he had spoken with President Donald Trump about storm preparations.

"It's important for Floridians on the East Coast to monitor this storm closely," DeSantis said in a statement. "Every Florida resident should have seven days of supplies, including food, water and medicine, and should have a plan in case of disaster."

The slow-moving storm will dump more rain and bring more winds across Florida as it makes landfall, Ken Graham, the director for the National Hurricane Center said. Residents in the storm path have until Saturday evening to stock up on supplies and board up windows.

Hurricane Dorian is the fourth named storm of the season so far.

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