Hurricane Dorian’s track has shifted again. Here’s what it means for Middle Georgia.

Hurricane Dorian shifted east toward the Carolinas on Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Florida may avoid a direct hit from the Category 4 storm, but there’s much uncertainty in the forecast. Coastal Georgia remains on alert.

Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency Director Spencer Hawkins said officials remain in a waiting pattern, preparing to offer shelter to those fleeing the storm if needed as well as preparing for any potential storm impact.

“At this point, we are — just like most of the entire Southeast U.S. — watching and waiting,” Hawkins said Saturday.

Everyone remains on standby, prepared to move into action if necessary, Hawkins said.

On Saturday, the forecast for Macon for Wednesday and Thursday included a 10-20% chance of tropical force winds of 39-73 miles per hour, Hawkins said.

However, that chance would likely diminish if the storm continues to shift east, Hawkins said. In contrast, a westward shift could increase chances of tropical force winds, he said.

While the potential impact to Macon-Bibb appears minimal, there remains a lot of uncertainty.

The storm is “too far out,” Hawkins said.

Houston County EMA Director and Fire Chief Chris Stoner said his folks also remain on standby.

Stoner said the next meeting of city and county leaders, public safety officials and school leaders to assess Hurricane Dorian is not until Tuesday because of the Labor Day holiday and the uncertainty of the storm’s impact locally.

“I will monitor over the weekend and see if a meeting is (still) warranted,” Stoner said Saturday. “I am hoping it remains off shore.”

Fort Valley Mayor Barbara Williams announced Sunday evening that the city is opening up Festival Park on Martin Luther King Boulevard, which is also U.S. 41, for any evacuees in recreation vehicles. The park has 41 RV hookups and use will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, said Public Works Director Ben Carpenter. There is no charge for evacuees to use the park.

The city also opened the park for Hurricane Michael last year and 19 RVs used it. Williams said they offer the park because RV parks can fill up during an evacuation. Evacuees who want to use the park can just show up but if they have questions they can call Carpenter at 478-396-4144.

No shelters have been opened in Macon-Bibb, Rachel Gambill, a communications specialist for Macon-Bibb, said Saturday.

Also, “plenty of availability” remains among Georgia hotels and motels, including those in Middle Georgia, said Emily Murray, senior communications specialist for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

In partnership with Expedia, the state agency has activated its emergency lodging and hotels page to provide travelers and evacuees with real-time accommodations availability at www.expedia.com/Georgia on the Internet.

Georgia’s welcome center along Interstate 75 near Valdosta saw an influx of Florida motorists Friday, but then a slow down on Saturday, Murray said.

Also, at another Georgia welcome center on Interstate-95 about 30 miles from Jacksonville, a few Floridians came up to St. Marys to get gas and water Saturday, she said.

Meanwhile, the Perry Welcome Center posted on Facebook that it’s receiving requests from those seeking shelter from the hurricane for horses and livestock. Anyone with room for the evacuating animals was asked to call 478-988-8000, or email info@perryga.com.

Georgia’s parks are open to receive storm evacuees and their pets, though most camps and cabins are full through Labor Day but open after Monday and overflow room is available, the Department of Natural Resources tweeted.

This story was originally published August 31, 2019 at 12:21 PM.