Dorian shift puts storm plans on hold

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  • Hurricane Dorian's predicted path
    Hurricane Dorian's predicted path
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Predictions for Hurricane Dorian continue to show the storm inching away from Putnam County, but officials aren’t yet ready to say Putnam is in the clear.

At 5:45 p.m. Saturday, National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Shashy said the most recent forecast shows Dorian curving north, northeast by the middle of the week before shifting in an even more northeastern direction. 

But Putnam residents shouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief yet, he said. The area would still be in the “cone of uncertainty,” despite it being more along the edge of the cone than predictions showed a few days ago.

“It would be early Tuesday into Tuesday night,” Shashy said of the storm’s landfall. “Tropical storm-force winds begin at 39 mph on up to the upper range of 73 mph. Winds of that magnitude can certainly cause issues; trees and power lines can come down. And rainbands off the Atlantic Ocean can cause higher rainfall totals as well.”

Local officials were scheduled to make decisions on school closures, opening shelter and government office closures, among other items. But local leaders said they will continue to meet Saturday and Sunday to determine the best course of action moving forward. 

“We want to provide the most accurate information as soon as possible,” Putnam County Emergency Management officials said in a statement. “However, Dorian continues to change course in a way that reduces impact on Putnam County.”

Superintendent of Schools Rick Surrency was expected to announce whether schools would be closed or emergency shelters, which are all in Putnam County School District buildings, would open this week. 

Instead of making a decision Saturday, Surrency said, Dorian’s predicted track prompted him and other local officials to continue observing forecasts. County, municipal, emergency, school and other officials would also assemble Saturday evening and Sunday morning before concrete decisions are made, he said. 

“Right now, schools (closing or staying open) depend on whether we open shelters,” Surrency said. As far as opening shelters, that’s a cumulative decision.”

All schools and government offices will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day, but other closures have been announced. 

Putnam County offices and the courthouse will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Putnam-fl.com. Palatka Mayor Terrill Hill said city offices would be closed Tuesday, and further closures would depend on the weather outlook. 

St. Johns River State College officials announce all the college’s campuses would be closed Tuesday. SJR State leaders said they would meet Sunday to determine whether to close for more days.