Dorian has been upgraded to a Category One Hurricane as it nears St. Thomas with top winds of 75 miles per hour.
Hurricane Dorian is tracking to the northwest at 13 miles per hour, and a Hurricane Warning remains posted for the Virgin Islands. There have been numerous reports of hurricane-force winds on St. Thomas over the past couple of hours. A weather station just south of St. Thomas recently reported sustained winds of 82 miles per hour, with a gust to 111 miles per hour.
On the present track, Dorian should continue to move over the U.S. Virgin Islands this afternoon, and then over the open Atlantic waters later tonight. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 20 miles to the north and east of the center, while tropical storm force winds extend up to 80 miles east of the center.
Dorian has the potential to produce 4-6 inches of rain across the Virgin Islands. Such volumes of rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods. Additionally, swells will increase across the Virgin Islands causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
St. Croix is already being impacted by tropical storm force winds which should last until late this afternoon. Tropical storm force winds will begin to affect St. Thomas & St. John within the hour and continue through tonight.
As of noon, airports are still ope, according to the V.I. Port Authority. But given the upgrade to hurricane warning, travelers should contact their airlines to verify the status of their flights.
Spirit has canceled their flight to S.Thomas for Wednesday. American Airlines has canceled their Wednesday Miami-St. Thomas flight. Their flight to St. Croix is still on as of noon but will be delayed. All commuter flights are canceled.
Seaports are closed until further notice.
Vitran bus service is cancelled until further notice. A curfew is in effect until 6 a.m.
