Hotels have been boarded up and families have evacuated their homes as “life-threatening” Hurricane Dorian closes in on the Bahamas.
The eye of the Catergory 4 hurricane is 70 miles away from the island of Great Abaco and is due to make landfall later on Sunday.
Winds are expected to hit a peak of 150mph according to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), which describes expected extreme weather as “life-threatening” and “devastating”.
Its advice includes:
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A hurricane warning is in effect for the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama; life-threatening storm surges, devastating hurricane-force winds, and heavy rains capable of producing life-threatening flash floods are expected until Monday.
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A tropical storm warning is now in effect for part of the Florida east coast. Life-threatening storm surges and dangerous hurricane-force winds are possible along the Florida east coast by the middle part of the week. Residents should have their hurricane plan in place, know if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone, and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.
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There is an increasing risk of strong winds and dangerous storm surge along the coasts of Georgia, South and North Carolina later this week. Residents in these areas should continue to monitor the progress of Dorian.
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Heavy rain could trigger life-threatening flash floods over coastal sections of the southeast and lower mid-Atlantic regions of the United States through the later part of the coming week.
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis of the Bahamas has urged residents to evacuate areas most at risk, saying that “homes, houses, structures can be replaced”.
He added: “Lives cannot be replaced.”
Tourists have been sent into shelters built in schools, churches and other suitable buildings as people in homes and hotels have been evacuated.
Americans are also looking on with concern as various forecasts show that Dorian is due to make landfall across Florida’s east coast.
The state’s governor Ron DeSantis has asked the public to remain vigilant, warning that dangerous storm surges are forecast for the region.
“As you’re looking at these forecasts, a bump in one direction or the other could have really significant ramifications in terms of impact,” the governor said at a news conference.
US officials are also considering evacuating parts of Florida.
“We were thinking about Florida evacuations, but it’s a little bit too soon,” US President Donald Trump said.
“We’ll probably have to make that determination on Sunday.”
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