Hurricane Dorian Intensifies as Residents Prepare

"In general, the dike is in a better condition than the last hurricane," Kelly said.

He said the northeastern side of the dike has the most risk and localized flooding is possible if the system hits the area as a Category 4 hurricane.

Drew Bartlett, executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, said his agency is closely monitoring the canals and levees in other parts of South Florida to mitigate flooding.

"We have 2,000 miles of canals and levees we are looking at, monitoring, preparing for the arrival of this rainfall," he said. "How we are doing that is drawing our canals down … so when that 13 inches of rain hits, it can be absorbed in the capacity of these canals as we are moving it out to protect from flooding."

In a morning press conference, DeSantis said the hurricane is potentially a multi-day event that is likely to "churn slowly across the state."

"We urge all Floridians to have seven days’ worth of food, medicine and water," DeSantis said. 

Seasoned Sunshine State residents know the consequences of being stuck without supplies when a strong hurricane hits. After Hurricane Irma raked through the entirety of the state in 2017, most Florida households lost power. Some areas were without electricity for days.

In anticipation of widespread power outages, the Florida Municipal Electric Association activated its mutual aid network and is already calling in more than 1,000 lineworkers from other states.

“Public power communities pull together in times of need and we are so thankful to have the support of communities not just in our own state, but from across the country,” said Amy Zubaly, executive director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association. “With their help, we will be able to work together to restore power quickly and safely to as many people as possible as we have during previous years’ storms.”

Duke Energy, one of the largest utilities in the state, is also lining up crews to respond to power outages and downed trees.

“We join state officials in asking everyone to take this storm seriously and prepare now," said Duke Energy storm director Jason Cutliffe. "We also ask our customers for their patience. With a Category 4 hurricane, power may take several days to restore.”

Health officials are making site visits and phone calls to nursing homes where the status of backup generators is uncertain in state records. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Florida passed a law requiring nursing homes to have backup generators capable of powering their air conditioning units. The measure was enacted in response to a tragedy in which at least 12 patients suffered fatal medical complications from heat exposure inside the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, where power to the air conditioning system was knocked out by the storm.  

The governor said FEMA is working with Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia to waive truck weighing requirements and facilitate fuel transport. Law enforcement in Florida will be escorting fuel trucks when needed, the governor said. 

According to GasBuddy.com, about 60 percent of gas stations in West Palm Beach and Miami did not have fuel. Even across the state in the Tampa Bay area, out of the storm's projected path, nearly 40 percent of stations ran out of gas.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody activated the state's price gouging hotline on Friday.

"You should be taking steps now to ensure you are prepared for the storm and the possibility of days without electricity," she said. "I have extended Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline to all 67 counties in an effort to prevent gouging, so Floridians can afford essential items now."

Supermarkets and grocery stores across the state are already experiencing shortages of water. At the country's busiest Walmart in Pinellas County, shoppers stripped the shelves of all water by noon. A manager said the store was not imposing limits on purchases, but that could change in the future.

The state is coordinating with Walmart and other grocery stores to make sure water is restocked.

In response to the water shortages, breweries across the state are letting residents fill up their containers with fresh water. Brian Pitts, manager of Funky Buddha Brewery near Ft. Lauderdale, said a trickle of people have come in for water, but far more want the beer.

"People are looking to take home some of the beer, just so they can get stocked up for the few days they may be inside," he said.

The brewery plans to remain open through the holiday weekend.

Florida had a lull of more than a decade between 2005 and 2016 with no major hurricane making landfall.

The past few years have not been so kind. Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage, wreaking havoc in the Florida Keys as a category 4 storm before reaching north Florida, where it caused historic flooding along the St. Johns River.  

Last year, Hurricane Michael devastated Florida's panhandle, bringing sustained winds of 160 mph. It was the first category 5 hurricane to hit the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.  

Follow @alexbpickett

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit