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Hurricane Dorian grazes Puerto Rico | |
(32 minutes later) | |
The eye of Dorian, a category one hurricane, has missed the main island of Puerto Rico. | The eye of Dorian, a category one hurricane, has missed the main island of Puerto Rico. |
The US territory's smaller islands, Vieques and Culetra, are being battered by heavy rain and high winds. | The US territory's smaller islands, Vieques and Culetra, are being battered by heavy rain and high winds. |
Dorian is considerably less powerful than the hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico two years ago. | Dorian is considerably less powerful than the hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico two years ago. |
It is expected to gather strength in the coming days, and is on course to reach the US states of Florida or Georgia by the weekend. | It is expected to gather strength in the coming days, and is on course to reach the US states of Florida or Georgia by the weekend. |
Florida declared a state of emergency on Wednesday. Governor Ron DeSantis said it was "important for Floridians on the East Coast to monitor this storm closely". | Florida declared a state of emergency on Wednesday. Governor Ron DeSantis said it was "important for Floridians on the East Coast to monitor this storm closely". |
However, experts say it is too early to say exactly where or when it could arrive. | However, experts say it is too early to say exactly where or when it could arrive. |
Dennis Feltgen, a National Hurricane Center meteorologist in Miami, told news agency AP that the "large storm" could land anywhere from South Florida to South Carolina. | Dennis Feltgen, a National Hurricane Center meteorologist in Miami, told news agency AP that the "large storm" could land anywhere from South Florida to South Carolina. |
What's the forecast? | What's the forecast? |
The storm is packing winds of more than 75mph (120 km/h) and is expected to bring up to 10in (25cm) of rain in some places. | The storm is packing winds of more than 75mph (120 km/h) and is expected to bring up to 10in (25cm) of rain in some places. |
Wind gusts of 111mph (178 km/h) were reported on Wednesday afternoon close to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, just east of Puerto Rico. | Wind gusts of 111mph (178 km/h) were reported on Wednesday afternoon close to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, just east of Puerto Rico. |
Forecasters have warned of life-threatening flash flooding and rip-current conditions as the storm moves across the region. | Forecasters have warned of life-threatening flash flooding and rip-current conditions as the storm moves across the region. |
The storm's first victim was reportedly an 80-year-old man, who police said died after falling off a ladder as he tried to prepare for the hurricane in San Juan. | The storm's first victim was reportedly an 80-year-old man, who police said died after falling off a ladder as he tried to prepare for the hurricane in San Juan. |
Schools in Puerto Rico are closed, while Governor Wanda Vazquez Garced has enacted a law banning the sale of alcohol for at least the next 24 hours, according to CNN. Two cruise liners have adjusted their itineraries to avoid the territory. | Schools in Puerto Rico are closed, while Governor Wanda Vazquez Garced has enacted a law banning the sale of alcohol for at least the next 24 hours, according to CNN. Two cruise liners have adjusted their itineraries to avoid the territory. |
Some 23,000 people were said to be without power in Puerto Rico by Wednesday afternoon, with further power cuts reported in the US Virgin Islands, AP said. | Some 23,000 people were said to be without power in Puerto Rico by Wednesday afternoon, with further power cuts reported in the US Virgin Islands, AP said. |
According to Mr Feltgen, the storm is projected to reach the US on Sunday or Monday. | According to Mr Feltgen, the storm is projected to reach the US on Sunday or Monday. |
What did President Trump say? | What did President Trump say? |
Late on Tuesday, President Trump approved an emergency declaration authorising federal agencies to provide disaster relief. | Late on Tuesday, President Trump approved an emergency declaration authorising federal agencies to provide disaster relief. |
He also lashed out at Puerto Rico as the island hunkered down for Dorian's approach. | He also lashed out at Puerto Rico as the island hunkered down for Dorian's approach. |
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, he said the island's government was "broken" and "corrupt". | In a series of tweets on Wednesday, he said the island's government was "broken" and "corrupt". |
He added that he was "the best thing that's ever happened to Puerto Rico". | He added that he was "the best thing that's ever happened to Puerto Rico". |
Carmen Yulin Cruz. mayor of the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, tweeted: "THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS; THIS IS ABOUT SAVING LIVES." | Carmen Yulin Cruz. mayor of the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, tweeted: "THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS; THIS IS ABOUT SAVING LIVES." |
On Tuesday, Mr Trump tweeted: "Wow! Yet another big storm heading to Puerto Rico. Will it ever end?" | On Tuesday, Mr Trump tweeted: "Wow! Yet another big storm heading to Puerto Rico. Will it ever end?" |
The president has previously faced political censure for his 2017 response to Hurricane Maria, which caused severe devastation in Puerto Rico. | The president has previously faced political censure for his 2017 response to Hurricane Maria, which caused severe devastation in Puerto Rico. |
He rated his handling of the disaster as a "tremendous success" while disputing official findings of the high death toll. | He rated his handling of the disaster as a "tremendous success" while disputing official findings of the high death toll. |
Has Puerto Rico recovered from Maria? | Has Puerto Rico recovered from Maria? |
Some 30,000 homes in Puerto Rico still do not have proper roofs, merely tarps, according to US media. | Some 30,000 homes in Puerto Rico still do not have proper roofs, merely tarps, according to US media. |
The territory remains burdened with more than $70bn in debt - a crisis exacerbated by storms. | The territory remains burdened with more than $70bn in debt - a crisis exacerbated by storms. |
Nearly 3,000 of the island's over three million residents died as a result of Maria - many due to poor healthcare and a lack of electricity and clean water. | Nearly 3,000 of the island's over three million residents died as a result of Maria - many due to poor healthcare and a lack of electricity and clean water. |
More than 1,000 roads remain blocked by that storm's landslides, the island's transportation secretary has said. | More than 1,000 roads remain blocked by that storm's landslides, the island's transportation secretary has said. |
It took 11 months to restore full power to the island, and recurring electricity cuts caused further deaths from diabetes and sepsis. | It took 11 months to restore full power to the island, and recurring electricity cuts caused further deaths from diabetes and sepsis. |
The storm was the most intense cyclone worldwide that year and caused an estimated $100bn (£77bn) in damage. | The storm was the most intense cyclone worldwide that year and caused an estimated $100bn (£77bn) in damage. |
Have you been affected by hurricane Dorian? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been affected by hurricane Dorian? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |