SOUTHEAST N.C. — Hurricane Dorian has been stalled over the Bahamas for the past day after making landfall as a Category 5 storm and has continued to weaken to a Category 3 storm as of Tuesday morning.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), “Dorian continues to pound Grand Bahama Island early this morning while moving little. The eyewall has become a little less defined over the past few hours on radar. On infrared satellite images, the eye remains fairly well defined, but the surrounding deep convection is somewhat fragmented.”
The storm is still on track to make its way towards the North Carolina Coast and according to forecasting, tropical-storm-force winds can be expected late Wednesday into Thursday morning.
Related: Hurricane Dorian: Evacuations, closings, shelters, hotlines, and more [Free read]
“The system should turn northward with a gradual increase in forward speed as it moves through the weakness in around 48 hours. Later in the period, the cyclone should accelerate northeastward on the southern side of the trough. The official track forecast is similar to the previous one, and is fairly close to the model consensus,” according to the NHC.
Regardless of the track the storm takes residents are being encouraged to prepare for the storm before it is too late.
Schools and government operations have already been canceled ahead of the storm. Information regarding shelter openings in the area can be expected later on Tuesday.
Port City Daily will continue to bring you updates on everything Hurricane Dorian related as they are provided to us.
Hotlines and info
New Hanover County – Beginning Tuesday at 9 a.m., the public information hotline will be established to take calls from residents and visitors of New Hanover County. The hotline will be available 24 hours a day and can be reached at (910) 798-6800, with Spanish speakers available. Please use 911 only for true emergencies, and this hotline for all questions.
Preparation tips and sign-ups for email or text message updates can be found online here.
Brunswick County – The latest update on Brunswick County Emergency Services‘ preparations for Hurricane Dorian is now online here.
Pender County – Updates will be posted on the EOC’s Facebook page and on the county’s website. Those who need assistance are urged to call the EM office at (910) 259-1210. Pender County residents can also sign up for CodeRED available on the county website’s Emergency Notification System page.
