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Raging Hurricane Dorian makes landfall in the Bahamas

Storm surges and flash flooding are expected across a widespread area as the category five hurricane nears land.

A category 5 hurricane continued its approach to the Bahamas as the country bracing itself for a direct hit
Category five storm whips up waves off Bahamas
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The Bahamas is experiencing its strongest hurricane in modern times as Hurricane Dorian makes landfall in the islands.

The storm was upgraded to category five - the highest on the scale and rarely seen before.

Hotels have been boarded up and families have already evacuated their homes.

Hurricane Dorian could bring winds of up to 160mph to the Bahamas, with many taking shelter. Pic: National Hurricane Centre

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said "catastrophic conditions" were being experienced on the Abacos Islands - a group in the country's north.

Dorian's maximum sustained winds have increased to 185mph, according to the NHC, up from earlier readings of 160mph.

Warnings from the NHC tell of gusts up to 220mph in the path of the storm.

In the US, storm surge warnings and hurricane watches have been issued for a 154 mile (247 km) stretch of US coastline running north from Miami.

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A storm surge warning means threat to life and a hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are expected within the next 48 hours.

Palm Beach county in Florida has ordered evacuations for low lying areas and those living in mobile homes.

Hurricane hunters flew into the eye of hurricane Dorian as it slowly churned toward the U.S. mainland
Inside the eye of Hurricane Dorian

At a press conference at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters in Washington DC, President Donald Trump told residents of Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina to listen to all the warnings and evacuation notices from local authorities.

He said Hurricane Dorian was "one of the largest we've ever seen, with effects seen hundreds of miles from the storm and long before it potentially makes landfall".

"We expect much of the eastern seaboard will be ultimately impacted - some of it very severely," he said.

The president added that his government was coordinating with local authorities and was ready to assist in rescue and recovery operations, should they be needed.

He praised the courage of the American people, by saying they are "strong, determined and resilient" and that they will support each other.

US President Donald Trump receives a briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) on Hurricane Dorian in Washington, DC, on September 1, 2019. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP)        (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: US President Donald Trump gave a press conference at the FEMA headquarters

Dorian is moving west at 8mph, and its slow speed means it is expected to sit over the Bahamas for 24 hours before moving towards the US.

As well as extreme winds, 15-20 inches (38-50 cm) of rain is due to fall, with some areas receiving 25 inches (63.5 cm), according to the NHC's director Ken Graham. Waves could reach 15ft (4.5m) high, he added.

The NHC describes the expected extreme weather as "life-threatening" and "devastating".

Its advice includes:

  • A hurricane warning in effect for the Abacos 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Oceanside condo complexes are boarded up and shuttered in Vero Beach, Florida with Hurricane Dorian approaching the Florida coast on August 31, 2019. - Hurricane Dorian roared Saturday towards the Bahamas as the island chain braced for a devastating direct hit, before the monster storm churns up the US coast from Florida towards the Carolinas. (Photo by Adam DelGiudice / AFP)        (Photo credit should read ADAM DELGIUDICE/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: Hotels in Florida and the Bahamas have been boarded up, with tourists evacuated to safety

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."

People board up a house on Great Abaco island
Image: People board up a house on Great Abaco island
Shoppers stock up on supplies ahead of the storm
Image: Shoppers stock up on supplies ahead of the storm

A spokesperson for the government of the Bahamas said Dorian was expected to impact some 73,000 residents and 21,000 homes.

Tourists have been sent into shelters built in schools, churches and other suitable buildings as people in homes and hotels have been evacuated.

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Hurricane Dorian begins to batter the Bahamas

Florida'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.