‘Catastrophic’ Hurricane Dorian, with winds of 180 mph, may affect Carolinas for days

Sep. 1--Now a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Dorian is expected to shift to the north, bringing the possibility of strong winds, heavy rain and rough surf to the Carolinas coast starting Tuesday.

As of 8 a.m. Sunday, Dorian was upgraded to Category 5, and maximum sustained wind speeds increased to 180 mph with higher gusts possible, according to an 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.

Because of its "devastating winds," the NHC called Dorian a "catastrophic hurricane."

The storm is the strongest hurricane in "modern records" to hit the northwestern Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 a.m. update Sunday.

President Trump tweeted about the storm Sunday, saying it's looking like one of the strongest hurricanes ever, and telling residents of the Carolinas and elsewhere to be careful.

The storm has also grown in size, now extending up to 45 miles from the center with tropical-storm force winds extending up to 140 miles, the National Hurricane Center says, and radio reports indicate Hope Town in the Abacos has reported wind gusts up to 100 mph.

Coastal areas of South Carolina and North Carolina could feel the effects of Dorian through early Friday, according to the National Weather Service, which provided an update on the storm at 5 a.m. Sunday.

Between 5 and 10 inches of rain could fall, with some areas seeing up to 15 inches.

"This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods," the National Hurricane Center said.

Tropical-storm force winds, or winds 39 mph or greater, could hit South Carolina at about 8 p.m. Tuesday and North Carolina at about 8 a.m. Wednesday, forecasters say.

Large swells and dangerous rip currents are expected to arrive in the Carolinas on Sunday, according to The Weather Channel.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington issued an advisory, saying rip currents will be "dangerous to anyone who enters the surf."

Dorian is moving west at 7 mph as it closes in on the Bahamas on Sunday, the NHC said. As the storm moves through the northwestern Bahamas on Monday, "a very slow weakening is anticipated to commence after 12 hours or so."

The storm is expected to continue moving west for the next couple days before shifting northwest, the National Hurricane Center said.

As of 11 a.m., the Abaco Islands are seeing "catastrophic conditions" and heavy rain and "life-threatening storm surge," is expected, according to the NHC.

The storm is about 205 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida as of 11 a.m., the National Hurricane Center says.

By Sunday evening, Dorian could become "nearly stationary" for about 48 hours, the NHC said.

Then, as the storm continues its slow march, current projections show Dorian could have less of an effect on Florida but a bigger impact in the Carolinas.

The governors of North Carolina and South Carolina have both declared a state of emergency.

"State assets are being mobilized now and Team South Carolina is working around the clock to be ready, if necessary," S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement Saturday. "We encourage all South Carolinians who may be impacted by Hurricane Dorian to be vigilant and prepare now -- there is no reason for delay."

N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper also said residents "should prepare, and listen to local leaders for updates on severe weather."

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