Hurricane Dorian Now Forecast To Hit Florida At Cat 3

USA Today reports:

The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center has Dorian strengthening into a major Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph by Sunday off the U.S. East Coast. What does this mean?

A “major” hurricane is any hurricane that’s rated as a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity. A Category 3 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of from 111 to 129 mph.

Since 1851, 13 major hurricanes have made landfall along the east coast of Florida, according to Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach. The most recent was Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, which killed 28 people and caused $10.3 billion in damage, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

Several powerful hurricanes have hit the Keys and the west coast of Florida more recently, including last year’s Hurricane Michael, which devastated the Panhandle region.

.@NHC_Atlantic is forecasting that #Dorian could be a major Hurricane. We’ve been monitoring this storm with @FLSERT and will continue to watch closely. All Floridians on the East Coast should have 7 days of supplies, prepare their homes & follow the track closely.

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 28, 2019