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Hurricane Dorian: 'Extremely dangerous' storm bears down on Florida Dorian strengthens to 'major' category 3 hurricane
(about 1 hour later)
Hurricane Dorian will strengthen into an "extremely dangerous" storm as it barrels towards the US, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has said. Hurricane Dorian has strengthened to an "extremely dangerous" category three storm, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.
Dorian is currently a category two hurricane, but is expected to become a category three later on Friday. It poses a "significant threat to Florida and the north-western Bahamas", the NHC warned.
The storm is expected to hit Florida as a 130mph (209km/h) category four.The storm is expected to hit Florida as a 130mph (209km/h) category four.
Forecasters warn it could be the state's worst storm since category five Hurricane Andrew killed 65 people and destroyed 63,000 homes in 1992.Forecasters warn it could be the state's worst storm since category five Hurricane Andrew killed 65 people and destroyed 63,000 homes in 1992.
Dorian is projected to make landfall on Monday, which is Labor Day, a public holiday in the US. Dorian is projected to make landfall early next week.
The storm is moving slowly - at just 12mph (19km/h) as it crawls north-west across the ocean surface. The storm is moving slowly - at just 10mph (17km/h) - as it crawls north-west across the ocean surface.
Hurricanes tend to get stronger as they move over warm water like that off the Florida coast.Hurricanes tend to get stronger as they move over warm water like that off the Florida coast.
No widespread evacuations are in effect yet because forecasters are unsure exactly where Dorian will strike.
What's the forecast?What's the forecast?
As of Friday morning, the storm was packing winds of 110mph, just shy of category three. The storm is currently packing maximum sustained winds of about 115mph.
The NHC warned in a briefing that Dorian could cause "incredibly catastrophic damage" and life-threatening storm surges. "Dorian is anticipated to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane while it moves near the north-western Bahamas and approaches the Florida peninsula into early next week," the NHC said.
Hurricane Dorian is also expected to drop up to 12in (30cm) of rain on the coastal US, with some areas getting as much as 15in. The NHC warned in an earlier briefing that Dorian could cause "incredibly catastrophic damage" and life-threatening storm surges.
Hurricane Dorian is also expected to drop up to 12in (30cm) of rain on the coastal US, with some areas getting as much as 18in.
The NHC has issued a hurricane watch for the north-western Bahamas, warning that heavy rain "may cause life-threatening flash floods".The NHC has issued a hurricane watch for the north-western Bahamas, warning that heavy rain "may cause life-threatening flash floods".
Tides in the region are already at some of their highest levels of the year, owing to a naturally occurring event.Tides in the region are already at some of their highest levels of the year, owing to a naturally occurring event.
A new moon, combined with the coming the summer equinox, has created what are known in Florida as "king tides".A new moon, combined with the coming the summer equinox, has created what are known in Florida as "king tides".
Forecasters warn this is likely to exacerbate dangerous levels of flooding.Forecasters warn this is likely to exacerbate dangerous levels of flooding.
How are residents preparing?How are residents preparing?
Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the whole state, as has President Donald Trump.Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the whole state, as has President Donald Trump.
He told residents: "We urge all Floridians to have seven days' worth of food, medicine and water.He told residents: "We urge all Floridians to have seven days' worth of food, medicine and water.
"This is potentially a multi-day event where it will churn slowly across the state. That obviously creates a whole host of issues.""This is potentially a multi-day event where it will churn slowly across the state. That obviously creates a whole host of issues."
The governor has activated 2,500 National Guard troops, with another 1,500 on standby.The governor has activated 2,500 National Guard troops, with another 1,500 on standby.
Shoppers in Florida have been queuing around the block to snap up supplies such as medication and fuel.Shoppers in Florida have been queuing around the block to snap up supplies such as medication and fuel.
People have been asked to bring their pets with them in case of evacuation, and on social media, the names of hotels that accept pets are being shared.People have been asked to bring their pets with them in case of evacuation, and on social media, the names of hotels that accept pets are being shared.
What is President Trump doing?What is President Trump doing?
President Donald Trump warned Dorian "could be an absolute monster". He cancelled a planned trip to Poland because of the storm, sending Vice-President Mike Pence instead. President Trump warned Dorian "could be an absolute monster". He cancelled a planned trip to Poland because of the storm, sending Vice-President Mike Pence instead.
Mr Trump's critics have argued that he is only taking the hurricane seriously now because it is threatening white people on the US mainland.Mr Trump's critics have argued that he is only taking the hurricane seriously now because it is threatening white people on the US mainland.
A Democratic congressman, Don Beyer of Virginia, told CNN that the Republican president was taking notice because "Florida is not an island full of people of colour". A Democratic congressman, Don Beyer of Virginia, told CNN the Republican president was taking notice because "Florida is not an island full of people of colour".
In a tweet this week, Mr Trump seemed to express frustration that Puerto Rico was facing "yet another big storm", as he cited the budgetary costs of disaster relief. Dorian ended up just grazing the US territory.In a tweet this week, Mr Trump seemed to express frustration that Puerto Rico was facing "yet another big storm", as he cited the budgetary costs of disaster relief. Dorian ended up just grazing the US territory.
In Canada, former Prime Minister Kim Campbell stirred controversy by tweeting that she hoped for "a direct hit on Mar-a-Lago", the president's Palm Beach club house.In Canada, former Prime Minister Kim Campbell stirred controversy by tweeting that she hoped for "a direct hit on Mar-a-Lago", the president's Palm Beach club house.
She later apologised.She later apologised.
Are you in the affected region? What preparations are you making for Hurricane Dorian? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the affected region? What preparations are you making for Hurricane Dorian? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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