where this storm is going to go, but you need to start preparing now if you're in the coastal communities for sure. >> reporter: the caribbean islands feeling dorian's strength with wind gusts as high as 85 miles per hour. tree branches and debris scattered across the u.s. and british virgin islands. heavy rains filling the streets with water. ripping off some of the blue tarps still covering buildings in the time since hurricane maria hit two years ago. >> the damage right now are primarily to the islands of st. thomas and st. john. we still have crews remaining here from irma and maria that are doing restoration. >> reporter: dorian could be the fifth hurricane to impact the state of florida in the last four years. some residents here, john, not taking any chances. >> nor should they, nick. and they should use these days to get ready for what appears to be a direct impact somewhere along that coast. our thanks to nick valencia for that. hurricane hunters have been