Hurricane Dorian threatens the US after devastating the Bahamas
By Fernando Alfonso III, Rob Picheta, Kara Fox and Jessie Yeung, CNN
Our live coverage has moved
Schools will remain closed in five South Carolina counties tomorrow
By CNN's Hollie Silverman
Schools in Dorchester, Charleston, Berkeley, Horry and Georgetown counties will remain closed tomorrow due to Hurricane Dorian Friday, according to a tweet from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
Myrtle Beach has declared a civil emergency
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune signed a Declaration of Civil Emergency Thursday afternoon in anticipation of Hurricane Dorian.
Bethune says she issued the declaration as a precaution, just in case she has to enact a curfew or other measures as the worst of Dorian approaches.
As for closures or damage at this hour, she says that 68th Ave. and Ocean Blvd. are closed due to flooding.
Mandatory evacuation ordered for Virginia Beach costal community
From CNN's Melissa Alonso
Residents of Virginia Beach’s Sandbridge community are ordered to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Dorian, Virginia Beach’s Acting City Manager Tom Leahy announced at a briefing Thursday afternoon.
High tides are expected between 2-3 p.m. ET which “will be at the height of the strongest winds and heaviest rains and storm surge,” according to Erin Sutton, Director at City of Virginia Beach OEM.
The storm has potential "to significantly impact” Virginia Beach, according to Deputy City Manager Steve Cover.
Voluntary evacuations are also in effect for Zone A residents and areas traditionally impacted by storms, Leahy said.
Hurricane wind gusts reported along the South Carolina coast
As Dorian continues to move closer to the coast, here are some of the highest wind gusts being reported.
Hurricane-force gusts:
87 mph -- Shutes Folly, South Carolina
80 mph -- Fort Sumter, South Carolina
Strong tropical-storm-force gusts:
69 mph -- Charleston International Airport, South Carolina
67 mph -- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
60 mph -- North Tybee Island, Georgia
1,400 members of South Carolina's state guard are now activated
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
Maj. Gen. Van McCarty has activated 1,400 members of the state guard to respond to Hurricane Dorian.
This mobilization also includes 100 high-water vehicles and several aircraft available to support search and rescue operation, McCarty said during a press conference Thursday.
Assets will be moved around the state as necessary, McCarty added.
Mandatory evacuation orders lifted in three South Carolina counties
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
The mandatory evacuation order for three South Carolina counties will be lifted as of 3 p.m. ET, Gov. Henry McMaster said.
McMaster said Jasper, Beaufort and Colleton counties will no longer be under mandatory evacuation.
Residents need to abide by the local authorities when trying to return to their homes, McMaster said.
McMaster said theses counties are further south but there are still concerns for the remaining five counties still under mandatory evacuation.
The five counties where there are still mandatory evacuation notices are Horry, Dorchester, Georgetown, Berkeley and Charleston.
The entire city of Georgetown is without power, McMaster said.
Eye of Dorian is just off South Carolina's Cape Romain
The eye of Dorian is roughly 60 miles south of Myrtle Beach, according to the 2 p.m. ET update from the National Weather Service.
The Tropical Storm warning has been discontinued for the coast of Georgia and the Storm Surge warning has been discontinued south of South Santee River, South Carolina.
Dorian is moving toward the north-northeast near 8 mph. A turn toward the northeast is anticipated tonight, and a northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is forecast on Friday.
The center of Dorian will continue to move close to the coast of South Carolina this afternoon and then move near or over the coast of North Carolina tonight and Friday. The center should move to the southeast of extreme southeastern New England Friday night and Saturday morning, and approach Nova Scotia later on Saturday.
Extensive storm damage seen on North Carolina's Emerald Isle
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
New images from Emerald Isle shows extensive storm damage after a tornado touched down today.
The island is part of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast.
Check out the photos below:
