Suffolk is under both a tropical storm warning and storm surge warning as Hurricane Dorian continues to move up the east coast of the U.S.

According to the 5 p.m. Wednesday update by the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Dorian is about 150 miles south of Charleston, S.C., moving north-northwest at nearly eight mph with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.

Dorian was expected to turn north Wednesday night, then move toward the northeast Thursday night. A northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is forecast for Friday.

According to the 5 p.m. Wednesday forecast track, the center of Dorian was to approach the coast of South Carolina Wednesday night, then move near or over the coast of South Carolina on Thursday and then head near or over the coast of North Carolina Thursday night and Friday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center of Dorian, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.

“Since the (National Hurricane Center) track prediction continues to take Dorian dangerously close to the southeast U.S. coast, all interests from northeast Florida to the Carolinas should remain vigilant to the possibility of experiencing destructive winds, flooding rains, and life-threatening storm surges from this hurricane,” according to the 5 p.m. Wednesday update.

The tropical storm warning is in effect for all of Hampton Roads, as is the storm surge warning.  The National Weather Service in Wakefield says there is the potential for two-to-four feet of storm surge and peak winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts to 60 mph.

According to Chris Fisher, meteorologist at the National Weather Service Wakefield office, Suffolk residents can expect winds to pick up late-Thursday night, but the main wind increases are expected Friday morning.

There will also be periods of heavy rain Friday, with three to five inches of rain projected, with locally higher amounts beyond that in the Suffolk area, Fisher said.

“The confidence is increasing in the forecast track,” Fisher said, “but there still may be some small changes in the next 24 to 36 hours.”

No widespread evacuation order is expected for this storm in Coastal Virginia, according to a Suffolk city press release, but residents and businesses in Suffolk should still expect high winds, heavy rains and potential flooding in low lying areas Thursday night and Friday.

Residents are reminded to take necessary precautions, which includes securing outside objects and putting together an emergency prep kit with the following:

• Batteries and flashlights for power outages.
• Cash, as power outages could affect ATM machines.
• One gallon of water per person, per day.
• Non-perishable food.
• A first-aid kit.
• Any and all medication prescriptions.

Sentara Healthcare has implemented its hospital and facility-specific emergency management plan in preparation for Hurricane Dorian, according to an email from Public Relations and Communications Advisor Brittany Vajda.

Sentara patients may be discharged from hospitals to keep families together as Dorian approaches and allow them to travel to safer locations. The complete list of facility closings and elective procedure cancelations are online at sentara.com/weather.

“Please stay in touch with your loved one who is hospitalized as the storm approaches,” Vajda wrote. “In addition, physician office appointments, diagnostic tests or other outpatient services may be canceled and need to be rescheduled after the storm.”

Virginia’s National Guard plans to mobilize about 30 soldiers for state emergency duty in the Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads areas, according to a news release. Soldiers will be in place Thursday morning.

Their potential missions will include high water transportation using Humvees and light/medium tactical trucks and debris reduction using chainsaws.

Dominion Energy recommends that people fuel their generators, test them and properly connect them before any severe weather arrives.

Residents are also advised to stay at least 30 feet away from any downed power lines, and to call 1-866-366-4357 to report a downed wire.

Dominion Energy said that if it does see impacts in Virginia, “our crews will be ready to respond as quickly and safety as possible.”