With maximum sustained winds of 75 miles (120 km) per hour, Dorian has now become a hurricane as it is approaching Puerto Rico on Wednesday, said the latest forecast of the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
In its latest update at 2 p.m. ET, the NHC said Dorian, now near St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, became a Category 1 hurricane, whose wind speed range is between 74-95 miles (119-153 km) per hour.
"Dorian is forecast to continue strengthening during the next few days over the Atlantic waters," the NHC said.
The latest forecast is for the powerful storm to grow into a 115 mile (185 km)-per-hour Category 3 hurricane when it is expected to draw close to the east coast of Florida. Category 3 hurricanes have a wind speed range of 111-129 miles (178-208 km) per hour.
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez Garced on Wednesday afternoon ordered a "dry law" effective for 24 hours that prohibits the sale of alcohol.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday approved an emergency declaration request from Puerto Rico, tweeting Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies are "ready" to provide disaster relief assistance.
Tropical-storm-force winds from Dorian could begin in parts of Florida as early as Saturday or Saturday night, the NHC said on Twitter.
In his latest tweet, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the state government is closely monitoring the situation, urging that all Floridians residing on the state's east coast "have 7 days of supplies, prepare their homes &follow the track closely."
Dorian is the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Puerto Ricans are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane that hit the island in 2017 with 155 mile (249 km)-per-hour winds. Enditem
