Hurricane Dorian now a Category 3 storm as it tracks toward Florida
2pm update
The latest update on Dorian shows the storm on a path that runs straight through Central Florida.
Dorian is now a Category 3 storm moving toward Florida and it is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane Friday as it moves over the warm, open waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The NHC says it's concerned by Dorian's slow motion as it approaches Florida's coast.
The Hurricane Center says slow movement by the storm as it hits Florida would put parts of the state "at an increasing risk of a prolonged, drawn-out event of strong winds, dangerous storm surge and heavy rainfall."
11am Friday update: Life-threatening storm surge and devasting hurricane-force winds are likely in portions of the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane watch is in effect.
Life-threatening storm surge and devasting hurricane-force winds are likely along portions of the Florida east coast by next week, but it still too soon to determine where the highest storm surge and winds will occur.
A prolonged period of storm surge, high winds and rainfall is likely in portions of Florida into next week, including the possibility of hurricane-force winds over inland portions of the Florida peninsula.
