This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49515022

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Hurricane Dorian: Storm strengthens to category 4 Hurricane Dorian: Storm strengthens to category 4
(about 2 hours later)
A powerful storm that is threatening Florida and the Bahamas has strengthened to category four, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says. A powerful storm threatening the Bahamas and south-eastern coast of the US has grown to category four, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.
Hurricane Dorian has maximum sustained winds of nearly 140mph (220km/h). Hurricane Dorian has maximum sustained winds of nearly 145mph (225km/h).
It is expected to grow even stronger as it passes the north-west Bahamas before making landfall in Florida early next week. It is expected to grow even stronger, its centre potentially crossing the Bahamas before skirting Florida's east coast early next week.
Reports from the Bahamas described tourists scrambling to leave before the closure of the international airport.Reports from the Bahamas described tourists scrambling to leave before the closure of the international airport.
A state of emergency has been declared in Florida, where residents have been urged to stock enough food, water and medicine to last at least a week.A state of emergency has been declared in Florida, where residents have been urged to stock enough food, water and medicine to last at least a week.
Forecasters warn Dorian could be the state's worst storm since category five Hurricane Andrew killed 65 people and destroyed 63,000 homes in 1992. Forecasters warn Dorian could be the region's worst storm since category five Hurricane Andrew killed 65 people and destroyed 63,000 homes in 1992.
Hurricanes tend to get stronger as they move over warm waters like those off Florida. US President Donald Trump said he was monitoring Dorian, which he described as "an extremely dangerous storm" on Twitter.
Hurricanes, whose strength can range from category 1 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, tend to get stronger as they move over warm waters like those off Florida.
By the middle of next week, forecasters expect Dorian to shift eastwards, putting the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina at risk.
What's the forecast?What's the forecast?
"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."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.
The NHC warned in an earlier briefing that Dorian could cause "incredibly catastrophic damage" and life-threatening storm surges. The NHC warned that Dorian could cause "incredibly catastrophic damage".
Hurricane Dorian's exact path toward Florida remains unclear but millions of people could be affected, as well as holiday attractions such as Walt Disney World and President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. In an advisory on Saturday, the NHC said Dorian was not expected to make landfall in Florida but the possibility that it will cannot be ruled out.
"Life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are still possible along portions of the Florida east coast by the early to middle part of next week," the NHC said.
Residents of Georgia and South Carolina have been told to keep an eye on the forecast as Dorian churns towards the US coast.
Dorian's exact path toward Florida remains uncertain but millions of people could be affected, as well as holiday attractions such as Walt Disney World and President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.
Dorian is expected to drop up to 12in (30cm) of rain on the coastal US, with some areas getting as much as 18in. Tides in the region are already at some of their highest levels of the year, owing to a naturally occurring event.Dorian is expected to drop up to 12in (30cm) of rain on the coastal US, with some areas getting as much as 18in. 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 autumn equinox, has created what are known in Florida as "king tides". These are likely to exacerbate dangerous levels of flooding, forecasters warn.A new moon, combined with the coming autumn equinox, has created what are known in Florida as "king tides". These are likely to exacerbate dangerous levels of flooding, forecasters warn.
How is Florida preparing?How is Florida preparing?
Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the whole state, as has President Trump. The governor has activated 2,500 National Guard troops, with another 1,500 on standby.Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the whole state, as has President Trump. 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. Some petrol stations reported fuel shortages, while a few shops had run out of bottled water.Shoppers in Florida have been queuing around the block to snap up supplies such as medication and fuel. Some petrol stations reported fuel shortages, while a few shops had run out of bottled water.
The city of Miami ordered the removal of electric rental scooters from the streets to avoid any potential hazards. The coastal city of Miami ordered the removal of electric rental scooters from the streets to avoid any potential hazards.
Officials fear the rental scooters, operated by firms such as Lime, Lyft and Uber's Jump, could be swept away by strong winds, turning them into projectiles.Officials fear the rental scooters, operated by firms such as Lime, Lyft and Uber's Jump, could be swept away by strong winds, turning them into projectiles.
No immediate mass evacuations have been ordered by state authorities but President Trump, who had warned that Dorian "could be an absolute monster", said a decision could be made on Sunday.No immediate mass evacuations have been ordered by state authorities but President Trump, who had warned that Dorian "could be an absolute monster", said a decision could be made on Sunday.
People have been asked to bring their pets with them in case of evacuation. 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. On social media, the names of hotels that accept pets are being shared.
Orlando International Airport announced it was halting commercial flights from 02:00 (06:00 GMT) on Monday "out of an abundance of caution". Tourist resorts in the city remained open, however.Orlando International Airport announced it was halting commercial flights from 02:00 (06:00 GMT) on Monday "out of an abundance of caution". Tourist resorts in the city remained open, however.
President Trump cancelled a planned trip to Poland because of the storm, sending Vice-President Mike Pence instead.President Trump cancelled a planned trip to Poland because of the storm, sending Vice-President Mike Pence instead.
What about the Bahamas?What about the Bahamas?
The NHC has issued a hurricane warning for the north-western Bahamas where water levels could rise by as much as 10-15ft (3-4.5m) in some areas.The NHC has issued a hurricane warning for the north-western Bahamas where water levels could rise by as much as 10-15ft (3-4.5m) in some areas.
Near the coast, it said, the surge would be accompanied by large and destructive waves.Near the coast, it said, the surge would be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced an evacuation order for parts of Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands, both in the north of the archipelago, and said flights were being increased.Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced an evacuation order for parts of Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands, both in the north of the archipelago, and said flights were being increased.
"I'm appealing to residents who are able to [leave] to seek shelter among family members and other suitable accommodations for their safety," he said in a news conference."I'm appealing to residents who are able to [leave] to seek shelter among family members and other suitable accommodations for their safety," he said in a news conference.
"I urge you, do not be foolish and try to brave out this hurricane. The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life or other serious physical harm," he said."I urge you, do not be foolish and try to brave out this hurricane. The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life or other serious physical harm," he said.
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.
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: