Hurricane Dorian: South Carolina orders entire coast evacuated after storm tears through Bahamas
Hurricane Dorian has caused major damage in the Bahamas – destroying homes and ripping roofs from buildings – as it made landfall as the joint strongest ever Atlantic storm.
While there were no immediate reports of deaths, residents of places such as the Abaco Islands and Marsh Harbour, were sheltering in schools and churches, as the long-threatening Dorian made landfall as a category 5 storm with gusts of up to 220mph and a sustained speed of 185mph.
When it struck land twice on Sunday afternoon, first in the Abaco Islands at then close to Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island, it equalled a record set by a Labour Day storm from 1935. That storm – which occurred before hurricanes were given names – ultimately left major damage in its wake in the Florida Keys.
“It’s devastating,” said Joy Jibrilu, director general of the Bahamas’ ministry of tourism and aviation. “There has been huge damage to property and infrastructure. Luckily, no loss of life reported.“
“Pray for the people in the Bahamas,” Donald Trump tweeted after returning to the White House from Camp David, to better monitor the federal response to the storm. “Being hit like never before, Category 5. Almost 200 MPH winds.”
The storm may also hit the US and residents of coastal Florida and the Carolinas have been urged to monitor its progress.
South Carolina’s governor has ordered an emergency evacuation of its coastal region – a decision that will affect one million people.
There have also been evacuations ordered in Florida, where governor Rick de Santis has deployed 4,500 members of the national guard.
A tropical storm warning has been issued on southern Florida’s east coast, while a tropical storm watch was also issued between Deerfield Beach down to Golden Beach.
To see how the drama played out please read below:
The Category 4 storm is currently barreling towards the northern Bahamas.
"This storm is extremely dangerous and should be taken very seriously," said Hubert Minnis, the prime minister of the Bahamas.
On Sunday morning the storm was 110km east of Great Abaco Island.
Dorian is expected to bring between 30 to 60cm of rain to the Bahamas, with up to 76cm likely in some areas.
"The island of Abaco is bracing itself for a direct hit from #HurricaneDorian2019 this morning," a spokesperson from Mr Minnis' office said.
"Abaco will begin feeling the full brunt of the strong Category 4 storm starting at 11am. The eye of the hurricane is forecasted to pass over Treasure Cay at about 6pm today."
Hurricane Dorian has now been upgraded to a Category 5 storm, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said.
Under the NHC's guidelines, a Category 5 storm is likely to cause "catastrophic damage."
"A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse," the NHC guidelines say.
"Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months."
"Devastating hurricane conditions" are expected in the Abacos Islands early Sunday and across Grand Bahama Island later in the day, the National Hurricane Center said.
Hubert Minnis, the Bahamas prime minister, warned that Dorian is a "dangerous storm" and said any "who do not evacuate are placing themselves in extreme danger and can expect a catastrophic consequence."
Forecasters say ocean levels could rise up to 6m in parts of the northern Bahamas with the storm surge topped with huge waves.
Dorian appears to have stalled over the Bahamas, which could be devastating for the islands.
The time allows small changes in the winds that steer the storm, which means Dorian can still make landfall in the US anywhere from Florida to North Carolina during the next five days.
The National Emergency Management Agency of the Bahamas has said the hurricane's extensive rain bands are already affecting the islands.
"Please note that very dangerous Hurricane Dorian is moving directly toward Abaco and Grand Bahama," the agency said.
"It's eye is clearly defined and it's extensive rain bands are already affecting Cat Island, Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahamas, The Berry Islands and Bimini."
On Saturday Bahamas prime minister Hubert Minnis begged residents of Abaco and Grand Bahamas to head for the main island to escape the "devastating, dangerous" storm.
"I want you to remember: homes, houses, structures can be replaced. Lives cannot be replaced," he said, adding that 73,000 people and 21,000 homes were at risk to storm surges, which are predicted to reach up to 6.1m high.
Residents and tourists alike are hunkering down in Florida, which is one of the US' biggest vacation destinations.
Dorian has the potential to put millions of people at risk, along with holiday attractions such as Walt Disney World, the NASA launchpads along the Space Coast, and even President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.
On Florida’s east coast, where Dorian’s winds are expected to quickly gather speed on Monday morning, residents snapped up bottled water, plywood and other supplies as fast as they could be restocked. Some gas stations had run out of fuel.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to have in reserve at least a week’s worth of food, water and medicine.
Two thousand National Guard troops will have been mobilized for the hurricane by the end of Friday, with 2,000 more joining them on Saturday. Florida officials also were making sure all nursing homes and assisted living facilities had generators.
"Storm Dorian is approaching the Bahamas and southeastern US, triggering transport disruption," Simon Calder, The Independent's travel correspondent, writes.
He answers the key questions and answers for travellers here:
Residents of Palm Beach County in Florida have been evacuated from their homes.
Officials announced a mandatory evacuation for the eastern half of the county beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, after a tropical storm warning was issued for the area.
The evacuation includes mobile homes, substandard housing, low lying areas prone to flooding and homes along the Intracoastal Waterway and on barrier islands.
