WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CN) – Packing winds of more than 150 mph, Hurricane Dorian grew fiercer early Saturday as coastal populations from Florida to North Carolina writhe with each change in the storm's forecast track.
The storm strengthened over warm Atlantic waters, while its expected track shifted east to the relief of south Florida residents, who were fearing a direct hit on Labor Day. The storm - nearly a Category 5 hurricane - still can cause severe flooding in the Sunshine State beginning Monday even if the eye wall does not come ashore, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Many coastal areas of eastern Florida areas have already been inundated with rain in August, which increases the risk of flooding.
"Life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds are still possible along portions of the Florida east coast by the early to middle part of next week, but since Dorian is forecast to slow down and turn northward near or just offshore of the coast, it is too soon to determine when or where the highest surge and winds could occur," the Center wrote.
"The risk of strong winds and dangerous storm surge is increasing along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina during the middle of next week."
Dorian is forecast to move over more warm water this weekend -- which is "like high octane fuel for hurricanes," NHS forecaster Lixion Avila wrote. How far offshore the storm's center will stay remains uncertain, but residents as far north as Virginia are being advised by the National Weather Service to remain vigilant and monitor the forecast track.
On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all of the state's 67 counties ahead of the storm.
"All residents, especially those along the east coast, need to be prepared for possible impacts," he said after the announcement. "As it increases strength, this storm has the potential to severely damage homes, businesses and buildings, which is why all Floridians should remain vigilant. Do not wait until it is too late to make a plan."
At the governor's urging, President Donald Trump also declared a state of emergency for the state on Friday, which will allow federal resources to begin flowing to emergency services.
In a tweet, Trump called the hurricane "an absolute monster."
Trump's Mar-A-Lago resort is located in Palm Beach. The resort, which has hosted world leaders over Trump's presidency, is currently closed for the summer.
So far, no counties have ordered evacuations, because Hurricane Dorian's path is still too vague. During past storms, residents have evacuated only to find themselves in the storm's path again.
If Hurricane Dorian continues on its projected path, the storm could bring more than a foot of rain to South Florida, including over Lake Okeechobee, the state's largest body of water.
The decades-old Herbert Hoover Dike, made up of sand and rock, encloses the lake to control flooding. Although the dike has received hundreds of millions of dollars for repairs in recent years, a severe hurricane could cause lethal flooding in the surrounding communities.
In a conference call with reporters, Col. Andrew Kelly, commander of the Corps' Jacksonville District, said teams of engineers inspected the 143-mile dike earlier this week and found no issues.