BOCA RATON, FLA. (WSVN) - As they continued to monitor Hurricane Dorian’s path, residents in Broward and Palm Beach counties dealt with some flooding, overcast skies and, in some cases, a gray beach day.
7’s DroneCam flew above a neighborhood in Jupiter, Monday afternoon, as fierce waves crashed into the shore.
“Everybody’s here enjoying a normal weekend usually, but with the way things are now, it’s better to be more cautious,” said a beachgoer.
Many beaches were closed in Jupiter because of serious concerns with storm surge and beach erosion.
“Normally, it’s nice and calm, and it’s actually a good snorkel spot. It’s one of the better snorkel spots here in Jupiter,” said Manny, an area resident. “It’s nice and flat, and there are nice reefs around. Yeah, it’s definitely nothing like what it normally is.”
Palm Beach County is currently under a hurricane watch, but that did not stop residents in Boca Raton from walking on a beach that was technically closed, Monday afternoon.
“It’s stir crazy in the house. Get a little fresh air and take a break, change of scenery,” said Boca Raton resident Lori Arce.
Apparently, a lot of people had the same idea as they waited for the massive Category 4 storm.
“Yeah, it’s painfully slow. Hopefully it’s gonna — we’ll all skirt out of it,” said Arce.
Until then, surfers took advantage of the waves at Palmetto Park Road and A1A.
“It was rougher this morning. We came at 6 a.m., and it was pretty rough, but yeah, it’s great,” said Boca Raton resident Timmy Martin.
Boca Raton officials said there are no lifeguards on duty, so beachgoers are swimming at their own risk.
Dorian’s outer feeder bands brought pockets of big downpours and strong wind gusts to Deerfield Beach, which is currently under a tropical storm watch.
7News cameras captured a pier that was barely visible due to the rain.
https://twitter.com/DymburtNews/status/1168674624177131521?s=20
But the inclement weather was short-lived, and on Monday afternoon, beachgoers returned to the sand and water.
“I came over just to surf, because the hurricane was going to be here,” said a beachgoer, “so, get some waves and head back before it pummels everything. Hopefully it doesn’t.”
Nevertheless, meteorologists indicated tropical storm conditions are still possible for parts of Broward County over the next 48 hours.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport resembled a ghost town, hours after it closed at noon Monday due to Dorian.
Business owners on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk boarded up and put down sandbags, Monday afternoon. They said they are not taking any chances.
When asked what concerns him about Dorian, business owner Denry Spencer replied, “Honestly, how slow it’s going because with more damage while it’s slowed down, the more we have to worry about, but once it picks up that speed and it takes off, I mean, I’m not trying to be rude, but there’s no problem after that. It’s passing us, you know?”
Down the street, the Broadwalk Restaurant remained open.
“Unfortunately, it’s affecting us, but you have employees who need to make money, too, so we’re trying to keep it open as much as we can,” said employee Dennis DeAlmeida.
7News cameras captured resident Michael Jackson heading toward Hollywood Beach to catch some fish.
“Usually before a storm, the pressure goes down, and there’s bait, so I’m trying to fish for tarpon and snook,” he said.
But it wasn’t all fun on and near the water. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue posted video of heavy flooding along Oakland Park Boulevard at the Intracoastal Waterway. That water has since receded.
Officials said the flooding was due to a king tide cycle. The Las Olas Isles neighborhood had water up over its docks.
Roads were also flooded in parts of Palm Beach County. In Boynton Beach, Two Georges Restaurant saw major flooding, and in Lantana, the parking lot for Old Key Lime House was completely under water.
Monday night, the water had risen significantly at a dock in Jupiter, and the current was moving rapidly.
It was a quiet Labor Day at nearby Harbourside Place. Restaurants and shops were closed; sandbags lined the front entrance of some of these businesses.
It was business as usual for most restaurants along Atlantic Boulevard in downtown Delray Beach, Monday evening.
Area residents said they’re ready for whatever Dorian brings their way.
“We live in Florida. Anything that comes, you have to be prepared,” said area resident Marcelo Loureiro. “I had my Plan A. I had a hotel booked up north, but the the hurricane kind of shifted a little bit.”
What’s happening fewer than 200 miles away, on the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, lingered on the minds of many beachgoers.
“It’s, like, all I can think about is how bad the Bahamas got hit,” said Arce.
“It’s crazy that that destruction can be going on over there when we have such a beautiful night here,” said Patrice Walk, who evacuated to Boca from Fort Pierce.
Fort Lauderdale resident Whitney Major said she has close ties to the Bahamas.
“This time we were spared, and we should be grateful. My mom lives in Freeport, Bahamas, where the storm is right now,” she said. “I’m barely getting any communication from her. We’re just praying that everything is OK. I’ve heard from at least a few of my family members.”
Broward officials said they have opened general population shelters at Atlantic Technical College, Monarch High School and Everglades High School. The one at Everglades High is pet-friendly.
County officials said they’re working to have FLL reopen at noon on Tuesday. They plan to give an update Tuesday morning.
Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for various communities along the coast in Palm Beach County, including its barrier islands.
Police in Jupiter blocked a road that would take drivers to Martin County due to the evacuations, and in Delray Beach, officers stopped anyone who does not live on the barrier islands from going over the bridge and into the evacuation zones.
“I’m confident that the predictions are right, and it will stay off, and it won’t get too strong with the winds,” said Manny, “but we’re watching. That’s for sure.”
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.