Tropical Storm Dorian Headed for Puerto Rico

Puerto Ricans are currently bracing for a tropical storm, Dorian that is expected to arrive on August 28th . Dorian is categorized as a level one hurricane. As of right now, the storm is 25 miles Southeast of St. Croix, in the United States Virgin Islands with winds strengthening to 70mph. Reports say the hurricane is expected to hit the Eastern part of the Island and then will travel to Florida over the Labor Day weekend, where it will pick up strength and develop into a category 2 storm. 

Puerto Rico suffered from Hurricane Maria just two years ago, so the people of Puerto Rico are expecting damage. Puerto Ricans have been working tirelessly to board up houses as well as put plywood and shutters over the windows of many homes and buildings.

Recently, President Trump approved a federal emergency declaration for Puerto Rico.The President’s action authorizes FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures  

To say the least, this is the busiest time of year for Atlantic Hurricanes because of the peaking surface air temperatures and heavy moisture in the atmosphere. Forecasters predict that other storms have already started to brew because of Dorian. “As the Category 2 hurricane inches toward the US, there are three other disturbances — one tropical depression and two possible, yet-to-form cyclones — brewing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean,” says the National Hurricane Center.

The storm made landfall September 1st over the Abacos Islands as a Category 5 with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. Forecasters say the storm has slightly weakened to a Category 2 storm. At least five people have died as a result of the storm. Despite a decrease in wind speed, the National Hurricane Center believes Hurricane Dorian’s combined wind, surge and flood hazards are nothing to ignore.

Dorian may even get worse since the hurricane has grown in size, National Hurricane Center said in a tweet Tuesday morning. Hurricane Dorian is now a Category 2 storm with 110 mph maximum sustained winds, according to the 11 a.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center.Hurricane Dorian, despite decreasing in maximum intensity, is growing in size. Hurricane-force winds extend out 60 miles from the center of the storm, while tropical-storm-force winds extend out 175 miles.

Currently, Hurricane Doran is beginning to move towards the northwest at 2mph and still continues to pelt areas of Florida with rain. Evacuations have been ordered along the Georgia and Carolina coasts.The storm continues to damage areas in the Bahamas with strong winds and rising waters. Reports read that the storm will affect the economy dramatically when all is finished because of the amount of money the Bahamas bring in as a high tourist attraction.

Hurricane Dorian will go down as one of the strongest hurricanes in history dramatically affecting each community it comes in contact with. As the storm continues to get worse, pray for all those affected by this great tragedy.