LIVE UPDATES: Hurricane Dorian strengthens to Category 4 storm

ORLANDO, Fla. — 11 pm. update FRIDAY: Hurricane Dorian has strengthened to a Category 4 and continues to move west at 10 mph, although its track has shifted east. The storms will continue to navigate over very warm waters that will serve as fuel for the storm to continue to strengthen as it moves close toward Florida. Some of the most reliable models still place Dorian as a major category traveling northward over Florida.

10 pm. update FRIDAY: Governor Ron DeSantis has announced he will hold an emergency press conference Saturday morning in Tallahassee with planning updates on Hurricane Dorian.

7 pm. update FRIDAY: Sheriff Ivey of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office has issued a mandatory evacuation for those living in the barrier islands, flood-prone areas, mobile homes or those with disabilities. The evacuation goes into effect Sunday at 8 a.m.

5 pm. update FRIDAY:

Hurricane Dorian is expected to move toward the Florida coast early next week with 140 mph winds, chief meteorologist Tom Terry said Friday afternoon.

Models have the storm shifting east, Terry said.

A hurricane warning has been issued for the northwestern Bahamas.

Click here to watch special live coverage with Terry.

4:30 pm. update FRIDAY:

Orlando International Airport said Friday afternoon that commercial flight operations will cease 2 a.m. Monday.

Passengers are advised to check with individual airlines for flight information and schedules.

"Hurricane Dorian has strengthened and slowed," said Phil Brown, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. "Our plan currently is to run full operations through Sunday."

Click here to watch special live coverage with chief meteorologist Tom Terry.

3:30 pm. update FRIDAY:

President Donald Trump has signed an emergency declaration for Florida. FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Dorian.

The president's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a live news conference with Orange County officials to discuss preparations for Hurricane Dorian.

Florida National Guard has activated 2,000 soldiers and airmen in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian.

Click here to watch special live coverage with chief meteorologist Tom Terry.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps.

3 pm. update FRIDAY:

Dorian remains a Category 3 hurricane as it moves toward Florida.

Chief meteorologist Tom Terry is tracking the storm. Click here to watch special live coverage of Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps.

11 a.m. update FRIDAY:

Dorian continues as a Category 2 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds at 110 mph. It has slowed down to 10 mph, heading northwest. The models continue to delay a Florida landfall. Landfall will likely be early Monday morning. Residents should have their preparations done by Saturday night. Tropical Storm force winds will arrive to the east Florida coast by Sunday, early afternoon.

Dorian's Latest Track

8 a.m. update FRIDAY: The 8 a.m. update continues the same track outlined in the 5 a.m. track, forecasting the storm will make landfall in West Palm as a Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds. The update said the storm is getting stronger, now with 110 mph winds.

The storm is currently moving northwest at 12 mph, expected to approach the Florida coast around 2 a.m. Monday.

In the 8 a.m. update, hurricane watches were also issued for the northwest Bahamas.

5 a.m. update FRIDAY: The latest track for Hurricane Dorian forecasts the storm making landfall near West Palm Beach around 2 a.m. Tuesday before inches its way up the Florida Peninsula dumping up to 2 feet of rain on areas of the state.

Meteorologist Brian Shields said we have six days left to continue tracking Dorian, as its pace has slowed to a crawl.

"We'll be babysitting this for a long time," Shields said.

>>>Check the latest watch and warnings in effect<<< 

Shields said Central Florida can expect to start feeling impacts of the storm by late Sunday into Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

At that pace, Shields said the storm will cause days and days of wind and rain across the state.

"This could be a historic storm for just how slow it is for Florida," Shields said.

He recommends all storm prep wrapping up by Saturday night, and for everyone to be where they plan to weather the storm by Sunday at sundown.

11 p.m. update THURSDAY: Dorian has now strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane as of 11 p.m. Thursday as it continues its path to Florida. Winds are currently reaching 105 miles per hour. Landfall is still expected for Florida late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.

Dorian's Latest Track

HELPFUL LINKS TO HELP YOU PREPARE:

• Are you storm ready? Here's when, where you can get sandbags filled
• Stay informed during a storm: Emergency Operations Centers in Central Florida
• Orlando pet adoption service offering free microchipping in advance of Hurricane Dorian
• New to Florida? 9 helpful tips to get you through a hurricane

Cox Media Group