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Latest information on Hurricane Dorian as it bears down on the East Coast

Posted at 6:28 PM, Aug 31, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-31 19:28:37-04

MIAMI (AP) - The latest on Hurricane Dorian (all times local):

6:30 p.m.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is warning residents along the state's Atlantic coast that "we're not out of the woods yet."

He says some forecast models still bring powerful Hurricane Dorian close to or even onto the Florida peninsula along with "life-threatening storm surge and hurricane force winds."

DeSantis says that because of the uncertainty on Dorian's path people need to stay vigilant.

In his words: "Floridians on the east coast need to be prepared. If you have a plan, stick to your plan. If you haven't made preparations, please do so."

The governor also says he spoke with President Donald Trump, who promised to provide any help Florida needs.

DeSantis spoke at a briefing at the Florida emergency operations center in Tallahassee.

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6:20 p.m.

Authorities in the Bahamas say Hurricane Dorian is expected to affect some 73,000 residents and 21,000 homes.

Government spokesman Kevin Harris tells The Associated Press that officials also have closed airports in The Abaco Islands, Grand Bahama and Bimini.

However, Harris says that the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau will remain open during the passing of Dorian, along with smaller airports in the central and southern Bahamas.

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6:10 p.m.

Orlando International Airport will shut down Monday at 2 a.m. as Hurricane Dorian makes its way toward the Florida coast.

Officials at the airport say it is closing "out of an abundance of caution" and so the 25,000 people who work there can prepare for the storm.

The airport says travelers should check with their airlines for flight information and schedules.

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5:45 p.m.

Cumberland Island National Seashore and the Fort Frederica National Monument along Georgia's seacoast have closed because of the threat posed by Hurricane Dorian.

Park officials say those areas will remain closed until after the storm has passed and will reopen once damage assessments have been made and the parks are deemed safe for visitors.

Cumberland Island is the largest barrier island off the coast of Georgia, encompassing more than 36,000 acres (14,500 hectares) of maritime forests, salt marsh and beaches. The island is also home to more than 9,800 acres (nearly 4,000 hectares) of congressionally designated wilderness

Fort Frederica National Monument is an historic area on St. Simons Island in Georgia.

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5 p.m.

Forecasters say Hurricane Dorian is expected to slam into parts of the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Dorian is maintaining top sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) as of 5 p.m. EDT Saturday.

The storm is now centered about 170 miles (270 kilometers) east of Great Abaco Island - or about 355 miles (570 kilometers) east of West Palm Beach, Florida. It is crawling westward at 8 mph (13 kph) with a turn to the northwest expected in a day or two.

The hurricane center says a tropical storm watch has been issued for the east coast of Florida from Deerfield Beach to Sebastian Inlet.

Forecasters say Dorian should move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday amid uncertainty over whether it would make a direct hit or skirt its way up the U.S. Southeast shoreline.