Broward residents wait for Hurricane Dorian's wind gusts to ramp up

Broward residents wait for Dorian's wind gusts to ramp up

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – Samer Barazi decided to keep his business open Monday night in Pompano Beach, as slow-moving Hurricane Dorian continued to beat the Bahamas. 

Barazi is the owner of Mora Grill, a restaurant that serves Syrian, Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes along East Atlantic Boulevard, near South Ocean Boulevard. 

"I was very worried about my business ... I wasn't sure what to do, but finally I decided to go for it and take the chance," Barazi said, adding that he was monitoring the storm's forecast. 

Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen decided to open three shelters -- including a pet-friendly shelter at Everglades High School. The Broward Sheriff's Office didn't order mandatory evacuations.

"It's for those people who feel uncomfortable being in their homes and they would prefer to stay in a shelter," Bogen said. "It's totally voluntary."

Barazi wasn't the only one taking a risk in Broward County.

Earlier in Deerfield Beach, the waves were fierce and surfers were out in full force. Deerfield Beach authorities were allowing surfing on the north side of the International Fishing Pier and the lifeguard tower


About the Authors:

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.