Hurricane Dorian is charging towards America with a State of Emergency now declared in Florida. The torrid weather conditions, which most recently drenched the British and US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, could see hurricane force winds whip across Florida’s east coast. The National Hurricane Centre has warned of increasing likelihood of storm surge along the stretch and residents of all 67 countries have been alerted to make a hurricane plan. Yet what does this mean for UK tourists, who are set to visit the sunshine state in the height of the Category 2 storm?
The hurricane is expected to be the strongest to hit the East Coast in almost 30 years,
The FCO today updated its advice for Britons travelling to the area and stated: “Hurricane Dorian is tracking across the Tropical Atlantic and is expected to make landfall early on Monday 2 September along the US Southeast coast.
“The US National Hurricane Centre predicts Dorian reaching Category 3 Hurricane strength before weakening.
“High winds and rainfall from intense thunderstorms are anticipated.
“You should monitor the progress of approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Centre and follow instructions issued by the local authorities, including any evacuation orders.”
There has been no direct advice to Britons not to fly to America, with the storm set to hit on America’s busy Labor Day weekend on Monday.
US President Donald Trump has scrapped his trip to Poland to deal with the storm, which marks the fourth year in a row a hurricane has hit Florida.
However airlines in the US have waived rescheduling fees for passengers set to fly in Florida and Georgia, to help them avoid the adverse conditions.
These include American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue.
Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Centre warned: “People have got to be ready before Sunday.”
Meanwhile, more immediately, Hurricane Dorian is forecast to affect central and northwestern Bahamas from Saturday 31 August.
The FCO issued separate advice to Britons heading to this holiday destination, and stated: “You should exercise due caution and monitor local news and weather reports.”
A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the northwestern Bahamas, where the risk of life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds this weekend has continued to increase.
Residents should begin to execute their hurricane plans and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.
Again, no official guidance against flying has been issued.
Today, Nassau Flight Services (NFS) confirmed that JetBlue, British Airways, Air Canada, WestJet and Cubana have not cancelled flight routes to the Bahamas, and will arrive at their scheduled times.
Domestically, Bahamasair, SkyBahamas, and Southern Air have cancelled flights to Central and Southern Bahamas due to Storm Dorian.
Express.co.uk reported this week how alerts had also been issued for Barbados.
