Hurricane Dorian Builds, Aims for Bahamas, Florida
Hurricane Dorian took aim at the Bahamas and the Florida coast on Thursday, spurred on by warm Atlantic waters as it threatens to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm.Dorian earlier sideswiped the Caribbean without doing major damage but is expected to strengthen and slam the Bahamas and the southeastern United States with rain, strong winds and life-threatening surf over the next few days, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said in an advisory.U.S. President Donald Trump urged Floridians to heed official warnings.
USCG Reopens Key West Ports After Erika Dissipates
Effective 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Capt. Jeffrey Janszen, Coast Guard Captain of the Port, reopened Key West, Florida, ports, terminals and facilities due to Tropical Storm Erika dissipating. All port facilities in South Florida may resume normal operations, including waterfront facility and vessel transits, subject to prudent seamanship and safe working practices. All mariners are reminded that remnants of the storm can cause dangerous conditions at sea. All boaters should monitor weather forecasts before taking to the sea.
Sector Key West Changes Port Conditions
Effective 6 p.m. Saturday, Hurricane Condition X-RAY (sustained Gale Force winds from a hurricane force storm are predicted within 48 hours) is set for the Port of Key West, Fla. Due to mandatory evacuations, the last scheduled lift for the Jew Fish Creek and Snakefish Creek Bridges on U.S. 1 in was at 8 a.m. Sunday. Boaters must take proper measures to navigate either of these bridges prior to them being locked in the down position. Based on weather conditions, bridge closures are subject to change and boaters should monitor VHF Channel 16 for any changes. The is open to all commercial traffic and all transfer operations may continue during this port condition.
