Although Gainesville may have dodged Hurricane Dorian, residents may still be affected by the storm’s strong winds and rain Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center announced in its 8 p.m. update that Dorian has sustained winds of 110 mph and is moving northwest at 6 mph. Although it is not predicted to make landfall in Florida, the NHC’s wind speed probability radar shows Gainesville has a 20-50 percent chance of 35 mph wind gusts and at least 2 inches of rain.
UF has extended the cancellation of classes until Wednesday, while Santa Fe College and Alachua County Public Schools will reopen Wednesday.
Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas Monday, as the Category 5 storm stalled during landfall over the island causing seven deaths so far. The storm is expected to continue moving north parallel to the Florida coast Wednesday before making anticipated landfall in Georgia and South Carolina.
This GOES-16 satellite image taken Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, at 17:00 UTC and provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows Hurricane Dorian, right, churning over the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Dorian struck the northern Bahamas on Sunday as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, its 185 mph winds ripping off roofs and tearing down power lines as hundreds hunkered in schools, churches and other shelters. (NOAA via AP)
