President Donald Trump says Hurricane Dorian could be an ‘absolute monster’ bigger than Andrew

Aug. 30--President Donald Trump issued a disaster declaration Friday for all of Florida as it became increasingly likely that Hurricane Dorian would make a significant strike on the state's east coast.

Trump painted a dire situation for Floridians in a videotaped message released by the White House, saying it appeared Dorian could be an "absolute monster" with "unbelievably high" winds.

"All indications are it's going to hit very hard, and it's going to be very big," Trump said. "Somebody said bigger, or at least as big, as Andrew. If you remember Andrew from many years ago, that was not good. Just be aware and be safe and God bless you."

Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida as a Category 5 storm, leveling homes in Homestead, in 1992. Hurricane Dorian is forecast to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane Monday or Tuesday.

The president's pre-landfall disaster declaration allows the state to draw down more federal resources ahead of Dorian's arrival, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday at the Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center.

"The one thing that has been pretty certain is this thing has been getting stronger, very consistently and completely in line with all the forecasting," DeSantis said. "We anticipate this arriving somewhere in Florida as a major hurricane. It could reach Category 4-plus winds. That is a significant, significant storm."

Once evacuation orders are issued, tolls will be suspended, and highway shoulders will be opened to traffic. Florida Highway Patrol is providing escorts for fuel trucks to supply gas stations on key evacuation routes.

As of Friday morning, traffic appeared normal on highways, but officials expect roads to become congested as evacuation orders are issued. Palm Beach County is planning to open its shelters Sunday morning.

DeSantis urged Floridians in mandatory evacuation zones to consider traveling inland to ride out the storm, rather than driving long distances.

"It doesn't have to be everyone on the east coast of Florida gets on I-95 and just keeps driving. ... You could end up even driving into the storm if you take that route," he said.

The storm's cone of uncertainty spans from Jacksonville to the Keys, putting nearly 19 million people in its potential path.

DeSantis said he has been assured by the president that the federal government will provide whatever help Florida needs.

Trump is canceling a trip to Poland this weekend, so he can monitor Hurricane Dorian. Vice President Mike Pence will attend in his place.

DeSantis issued a statewide emergency declaration Thursday, which he said allowed road restrictions to be eased to speed the delivery of fuel. Florida is also working with the federal government and neighboring states to bolster the state's fuel supply, he said.

The Florida National Guard has activated about 2,500 members and has an additional 1,500 awaiting orders. More than 1 million gallons of water and 1.8 million meals are ready for distribution, officials say. Search and rescue teams, along with other special units, are on standby.

DeSantis urged the state's nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to protect vulnerable residents during Dorian.

A dozen people died in sweltering heat at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills after Hurricane Irma cut power to the nursing home in 2017. Four former employees were charged with manslaughter earlier this week.

"That sends a very important message that if you are entrusted with care of these vulnerable populations it's really your responsibility to have a plan in place," DeSantis said.

In the wake of the Hollywood deaths, the state mandated that nursing homes and assisted-living facilities have backup power to run air conditioners. Statistics from the Agency of Health Care Administration show about 58 percent of nursing home providers have not installed the equipment and received an extension to meet the requirements. About 10 percent assisted-living facilities have not installed the equipment.

State inspectors will visit nursing homes that haven't recently submitted plans to regulators, DeSantis said.

The Florida State University college football game planned for Saturday in Jacksonville is being moved to Tallahassee given Dorian's possible track, DeSantis said. The Seminoles are taking on the Boise State University Broncos.

Skyler Swisher can be reached at sswisher@sunsentinel.com, 561-243-6634 or @SkylerSwisher.

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