Hurricane Dorian now a Category 5 storm, should soon reach the Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands

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Hurricane Dorian is now a massive Category 5 hurricane this morning, with steady winds of 180 mph as it approaches Great Abaco Island in the Atlantic.

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The National Hurricane Center sees the storm as a potentially life-threatening situation, with extreme destruction and gusting at over 200 mph.

It is the most violent hurricane ever recorded in the northwestern Bahamas. As it continues to move slowly westward, towards the northwest of the Bahamas, the Dorian outdoor rain bands are expected to reach Freeport and Nassau, with more intense rains falling on the north. Great Abaco Island. The winds start to rise and will continue to increase all morning.

But with the slow movement of Dorian, the extended duration of hurricanes and tropical storm force winds with gusts of over 100 km / h, storm surges up to 20 feet and heavy rainfall up to 30 inches in some areas will have potentially devastating effects on northern Bahamas.

PHOTO: A satellite chart showing Hurricane Dorian, September 1, 2019. — Satellite graphic showing Hurricane Dorian, September 1, 2019.

Hurricane Dorian continues with the trend we've been seeing for a day, preventing a landing in Florida, as the ridge of high pressure will weaken and allow Dorian to take this turn to the north. The timing of this turn will determine the severity of the impacts on the east coast of Florida.

While there are competing models to determine where the storm might hit, the east coast of Florida should still be preparing for a possible arrival of Dorian.

PHOTO: The planned trajectory for Hurricane Dorian, September 1, 2019. — The forecast trail for Hurricane Dorian, September 1, 2019.

Even without landing, storm surges, heavy rain and tropical storm force winds will be felt. That's why a tropical storm warning has been issued along the east coast from Deerfield Beach to Sebastian Inlet including Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Vero Beach. Another tropical storm watch was also issued from Golden Beach to Deerfield Beach.

PHOTO: Hurricane Dorians has probably changed course several times over the past week. — The eventual trajectory of Hurricane Dorian has changed several times over the past week.

As Dorian turns north on Monday, Tuesday, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina will be on full alert. Although the official track of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) maintains Dorian's center all along the coast, the impacts will still be strongly felt.

We are still considering Dorian as a Category 1 or 2 storm with winds of 90 to 100 mph just off the coast when the storm makes its approach to South Carolina and North Carolina from Thursday to Friday. .

PHOTO: A number of alerts are in effect near the point where Hurricane Dorian could touch land. — A number of alerts are in effect near the point where Hurricane Dorian could touch land.

There is still considerable uncertainty on the track between 3 and 5 days and Dorian still has the potential to reach land in the Southeast States.

The Bahamas should expect storm surges of up to 15 to 20 feet, rainfall of up to 30 inches, prolonged hurricane force winds, and large and destructive waves. and gusts of over 100 mph.

It is difficult to predict what to expect in southeastern United, but isolated rains of up to 15 inches may be possible with tropical storm winds and life-threatening surf and drift currents. .

PHOTO: Gusts of wind are expected to reach the three-digit mark as the storm heads towards the west. — Gusts of wind are expected to reach three digits when the storm heads west.

What is certain with Hurricane Dorian is that there will be a long period of life-threatening storms, devastating devastating winds and heavy rains that could produce life-threatening flash floods on the Abaco Islands. and Grand Bahama until Monday hurricane alert remains in effect for these areas.

A tropical storm warning is now in effect for part of the east coast of Florida. As Dorian is expected to slow down and turn north as the coast approaches, a threatening storm surge for life and dangerous hurricane winds are still possible along parts of Florida's east coast. here the middle of the week.

Palm Beach County orders mandatory evacuations for areas located east of the intracoastal waterway, including the coastal areas of Jupiter, Palm Beach and Boca Raton.

Residents must have their hurricane plan in place, find out if they are in an evacuation zone after a hurricane and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.

PHOTO: Regardless of where Hurricane Dorian landed, heavy rains are expected all over the southeast coast. — No matter where Hurricane Dorian has landed, heavy rains are expected all along the southeast coastline.

There is an increasing risk of high winds and a dangerous storm surge along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina later this week. Residents in these areas should continue to monitor Dorian's progress.

Heavy rains, capable of producing life-threatening flash floods, are possible in coastal areas of the southeastern and mid-Atlantic mid-Atlantic until the end of this week.

Brittany Borer of ABC News contributed to this report.

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