Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., said Wednesday that Hurricane Dorian remains a dangerous storm that could still grow stronger and change direction, so it is imperative that people still in its path to follow the recommendations of their local and state officials.
"The best thing that we can hope for is this bypasses us and the rest of the United States," Yoho told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" as the storm continued its path north. "We've been through too many of these especially in the last three years. And this is not something to mess with. Be prepared and act accordingly."
The storm has been downgraded to a Category 2, from its peak as a Category 5 storm in the Bahamas, but the current level still represents winds up to 110 miles per hour, Yoho said.
Yoho said a rise in the water levels, especially along the St. John's River and the coasts around Jacksonville and further south are predicted.
"With the St. John's, it's a river that runs north," Yoho said. "The mouth is in Jacksonville. If the waves and winds rip around, the water can't get out and exit into the ocean, so it fills up."
He also warned people to stay out of the ocean or any water, as there could be electric lines that are down in addition to strong, dangerous currents that could cause injury.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.