Hurricane Dorian Now a Category 5 As it Hurtles Toward the East Coast

Hurricane Dorian strengthened into a Category 5 Hurricane overnight with forecasters saying the storm is generating maximum sustained winds of up to 175 mph as it heads for the nation's East Coast.

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 8 am on Sunday, the storm is within 225 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida and was heading west at 8 mph. Forecasters expect the storm to turn north as it approaches land, but they're still unclear on exactly where the monster storm may make landfall.

Several states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina could all be hit.

"A slower westward motion should occur for the next day or two, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest," the center said in an advisory. "The hurricane should move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday night."

Florida Senator Rick Scott cautioned residents to remain prepared even as the storm appeared set to make landfall further north than originally expected.

"If this hurricane turns at the last minute and heads due west, you've gotta ask yourself, 'Am I ready?'" Scott tweeted. "Don't take a chance."

Mandatory evacuations in Florida were rescinded, including one for parts of Martin county and Brevard County's barrier island.

Dorian is set to move over the Abaco Islands and then continue on to Grand Bahama Island later Sunday night into early Monday. Thanks to Dorian's slow pace, residents in the Bahamas could see up to two feet of rain in some areas, with a storm surge in some areas of the island expected to hit 10 feet.