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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/sep/03/hurricane-dorian-bahamas-florida-storm-flooding-live-updates
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| Hurricane Dorian weakens to category 2 intensity but expands in size – live news | Hurricane Dorian weakens to category 2 intensity but expands in size – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Florida waits | |
| This morning in Daytona Beach, palm trees swayed in the wind, with sheets of rain sweeping by in the parking lot at the Hampton Inn, where our contributor Maria Bakkalapulo is based today. | |
| She writes: the mood in the hotel lobby was solemn as people ate their continental breakfast - almost everyone here is a local, displaced by evacuation orders from the coast. Tonight the hotel is fully booked, and so are all hotels for miles west towards Orlando. | |
| If you haven’t made a booking, you’re out of luck. | |
| The TVs here all have local news or the Weather Channel tuned, as they switch between reports from their teams up and down the coast. | |
| On the streets, businesses are shuttered, and traffic is light, and convoys of power company vehicles head to their staging areas as Dorian makes its slow crawl north. | |
| Moving around town is getting harder now. At GI Jeff’s Army and Navy Supply store, the owner is closing over the last gaps in the plywood barriers. “I haven’t got time to say much, I have to move my people out of here. Just the usual stuff, God Bless America, we will all be fine,” he says, with a wink. | |
| The forecast is for storm surges, perhaps as high as seven feet by tomorrow afternoon. Florida’s east coast has hundreds of miles of vulnerable, highly-populated barrier islands, where mandatory evacuations have been issued. | |
| As each area locks down, police are closing off the causeways and bridges that jump the inter coastal waters to the mainland. | |
| If you decide to ignore the warnings and ride out the storm, emergency management are making it clear they may not be there to help. | |
| The skies are becoming uniform with thick clouds as Dorian’s outer bands are pushed ashore, the waves eating into the sand on the beaches. | |
| Today is the last call to take cover in Daytona, but in a place known for its wild spring break parties, there are still rumors of arrests on the beach as people in bathings suits take selfies, fooling around in the rough surf. | |
| Storm surge advisories | Storm surge advisories |
| Dorian is on its way at 2mph now, set to move dangerously close the Florida’s east coast. | Dorian is on its way at 2mph now, set to move dangerously close the Florida’s east coast. |
| Powerful Dorian & impacts to east C. #FL Co. For info about impacts for inland counties https://t.co/t0a01CYGwv#Dorian: impactos a la costa este de #Fl Central. Para los impactos que tendrán los condados al interior visite https://t.co/Ag5l5QWso0 pic.twitter.com/HjZeJUPkX3 | Powerful Dorian & impacts to east C. #FL Co. For info about impacts for inland counties https://t.co/t0a01CYGwv#Dorian: impactos a la costa este de #Fl Central. Para los impactos que tendrán los condados al interior visite https://t.co/Ag5l5QWso0 pic.twitter.com/HjZeJUPkX3 |
| Windswept and battered | Windswept and battered |
| Here’s the Guardian’s latest video report on Hurricane Dorian. This report includes startling images and frightening scenes of people trying to swim to safety and people’s homes being inundated with them in it. There are frames of a flooded hospital and Freeport airport in Grand Bahama under water. | |
| State Department alerts | State Department alerts |
| A number of information bulletins have just been tweeted by the US State Department about the dire situation in the Bahamas - the full extent of which remains to be seen by the world beyond Grand Bahama, as details unfold. | A number of information bulletins have just been tweeted by the US State Department about the dire situation in the Bahamas - the full extent of which remains to be seen by the world beyond Grand Bahama, as details unfold. |
| But these urgent messages speak for themselves. | But these urgent messages speak for themselves. |
| We urge U.S. citizens in #TheBahamas who have been affected by Hurricane #Dorian to contact loved ones. To notify us of U.S. citizens needing assistance in an affected area, call 888-407-4747 (in the U.S.) or 202-501-4444 (abroad), or email ACSNassau@state.gov. | We urge U.S. citizens in #TheBahamas who have been affected by Hurricane #Dorian to contact loved ones. To notify us of U.S. citizens needing assistance in an affected area, call 888-407-4747 (in the U.S.) or 202-501-4444 (abroad), or email ACSNassau@state.gov. |
| Floridians stepping up for the Bahamas | Floridians stepping up for the Bahamas |
| The US Coast Guard might be mustering in Miami ready to take relief to the storm-battered Bahamas, but locals are ready and willing to help, too. | The US Coast Guard might be mustering in Miami ready to take relief to the storm-battered Bahamas, but locals are ready and willing to help, too. |
| The #Bahamas needs our help, and we are stepping up. Today, we held #HurricaneDorian relief efforts in the heart of #Miami’s Bahamian community, #CoconutGrove, where we collected supplies for our island neighbors. Bring your items to any @CityofMiami fire station! #BAHAMASTRONG pic.twitter.com/joPwIWDqqH | The #Bahamas needs our help, and we are stepping up. Today, we held #HurricaneDorian relief efforts in the heart of #Miami’s Bahamian community, #CoconutGrove, where we collected supplies for our island neighbors. Bring your items to any @CityofMiami fire station! #BAHAMASTRONG pic.twitter.com/joPwIWDqqH |
| Flash flooding | Flash flooding |
| The latest @NWSWPC (National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center) rainfall forecast shows that the flash flood threat will increase today and tonight along the Florida peninsula, then spread up the SE and mid-Atlantic coast during the middle and latter part of the week. | The latest @NWSWPC (National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center) rainfall forecast shows that the flash flood threat will increase today and tonight along the Florida peninsula, then spread up the SE and mid-Atlantic coast during the middle and latter part of the week. |
| The latest @NWSWPC rainfall forecast shows that the flash flood threat will increase today and tonight along theFlorida peninsula, then spread up the SE and mid-Atlantic coast during the middle and latter part of the week. The full #Dorian advisory is at https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/QMiHt3GeLl | The latest @NWSWPC rainfall forecast shows that the flash flood threat will increase today and tonight along theFlorida peninsula, then spread up the SE and mid-Atlantic coast during the middle and latter part of the week. The full #Dorian advisory is at https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/QMiHt3GeLl |
| Dorian aiming for Florida east coast. | Dorian aiming for Florida east coast. |
| The National Hurricane Center has just put out its 11AM update. | The National Hurricane Center has just put out its 11AM update. |
| Dorian has weakened to a category 2 hurricane. Dangerous winds and storm surge will continue to affect Grand Bahama for several more hours. | Dorian has weakened to a category 2 hurricane. Dangerous winds and storm surge will continue to affect Grand Bahama for several more hours. |
| Now the storm is expanding and posing increased threat to the US east coast in some respects. The NHC warns of life-threatening storm surges and dangerous winds along portions of Florida’s east coast and also the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. | Now the storm is expanding and posing increased threat to the US east coast in some respects. The NHC warns of life-threatening storm surges and dangerous winds along portions of Florida’s east coast and also the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. |
| The service also warns that North Carolina is at risk and there is the threat of flash flooding all up the coast, from Florida north. | The service also warns that North Carolina is at risk and there is the threat of flash flooding all up the coast, from Florida north. |
| Here are the #Dorian Key Messages for Sept 3rd 11 AM EDT: Many new #Hurricane Watches and Warnings have been issued for the Carolinas with multiple threats expected across the southeastern United States. More: https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/LepqRE983a | Here are the #Dorian Key Messages for Sept 3rd 11 AM EDT: Many new #Hurricane Watches and Warnings have been issued for the Carolinas with multiple threats expected across the southeastern United States. More: https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/LepqRE983a |
| Dorian drifting | Dorian drifting |
| Here’s a fresh version of the popular projection “cone” maps that shows the latest forecast of Hurricane Dorian’s possible as it whirls along the US east coast. | Here’s a fresh version of the popular projection “cone” maps that shows the latest forecast of Hurricane Dorian’s possible as it whirls along the US east coast. |
| It looks likely to remain at hurricane strength into the weekend, as it spins down to a less powerful but still hazardous category 1 storm off New York by Saturday. | It looks likely to remain at hurricane strength into the weekend, as it spins down to a less powerful but still hazardous category 1 storm off New York by Saturday. |
| Canada, you’re going to feel some of it, too. More or less than, say....Alabama? Time will tell, as they say (always the most lame and annoying end to a story, but so true in this case). Here’s that digital cone map, courtesy of CNN. | Canada, you’re going to feel some of it, too. More or less than, say....Alabama? Time will tell, as they say (always the most lame and annoying end to a story, but so true in this case). Here’s that digital cone map, courtesy of CNN. |
| An eerie quiet | An eerie quiet |
| I’m in Savannah, Georgia, the Guardian’s Oliver Laughland writes this morning. | I’m in Savannah, Georgia, the Guardian’s Oliver Laughland writes this morning. |
| The historic and famously beautiful city hugs the coastline, just over 100 miles from the Florida border. | The historic and famously beautiful city hugs the coastline, just over 100 miles from the Florida border. |
| Savannah, along with a group of other Georgian coastal counties, was placed under an evacuation order yesterday by governor Brian Kemp. | Savannah, along with a group of other Georgian coastal counties, was placed under an evacuation order yesterday by governor Brian Kemp. |
| It was eerily quiet here last night. The city’s downtown area was mostly deserted, save one last dive bar holding a heavy metal concert for a local band that attracted an audience of about 4 people, including me. | It was eerily quiet here last night. The city’s downtown area was mostly deserted, save one last dive bar holding a heavy metal concert for a local band that attracted an audience of about 4 people, including me. |
| Tropical storm conditions are expected here within the next 36 hours and a storm surge warning is in effect from here to the Florida border. Despite this, most locals I’ve spoken to seem pretty non-fussed about Dorian. A number of people have told me they don’t plan to evacuate today, as the projections this morning indicate Dorian staying further out to sea. | Tropical storm conditions are expected here within the next 36 hours and a storm surge warning is in effect from here to the Florida border. Despite this, most locals I’ve spoken to seem pretty non-fussed about Dorian. A number of people have told me they don’t plan to evacuate today, as the projections this morning indicate Dorian staying further out to sea. |
| I’ll be taking a seven hour drive down to Miami today, where the Guardian is hoping to get out to the Bahamas tomorrow. I’ll send you updates of what I see along the coastal drive on the way. | I’ll be taking a seven hour drive down to Miami today, where the Guardian is hoping to get out to the Bahamas tomorrow. I’ll send you updates of what I see along the coastal drive on the way. |
| National Hurricane Center update | National Hurricane Center update |
| NHC 10AM EDT tropical cyclone update. | NHC 10AM EDT tropical cyclone update. |
| Here is the 10 AM EDT Tropical Cyclone Update on #Dorian. For more information see https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb. pic.twitter.com/g6uNRddJ2m | Here is the 10 AM EDT Tropical Cyclone Update on #Dorian. For more information see https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb. pic.twitter.com/g6uNRddJ2m |
| At least five people have been confirmed killed in the Bahamas so far and 21 injured people were airlifted to the Bahamian capital, Nassau, by the US Coast Guard, Bahamas officials said. | At least five people have been confirmed killed in the Bahamas so far and 21 injured people were airlifted to the Bahamian capital, Nassau, by the US Coast Guard, Bahamas officials said. |
| “We are in the midst of an historic tragedy,” prime minister Hubert Minnis said yesterday. “The devastation is unprecedented and extensive.” | “We are in the midst of an historic tragedy,” prime minister Hubert Minnis said yesterday. “The devastation is unprecedented and extensive.” |
| Hurricane Dorian crawls away from Bahamas | Hurricane Dorian crawls away from Bahamas |
| The tempest is now 45 miles north-north-east of Freeport, Bahamas, 105 miles east-north-east of Palm Beach, Florida, with sustained wind speeds now of 115mph. | The tempest is now 45 miles north-north-east of Freeport, Bahamas, 105 miles east-north-east of Palm Beach, Florida, with sustained wind speeds now of 115mph. |
| That means that wind speeds have almost halved since it was a category 5 blowing in excess of 200mph, with wind gusts over 225mph, at the weekend. | That means that wind speeds have almost halved since it was a category 5 blowing in excess of 200mph, with wind gusts over 225mph, at the weekend. |
| Dorian is still a category 3 hurricane and the US National Hurricane Center has predicted it will stay at hurricane strength all week, albeit that it’s weakening steadily now as it heads towards the US. | Dorian is still a category 3 hurricane and the US National Hurricane Center has predicted it will stay at hurricane strength all week, albeit that it’s weakening steadily now as it heads towards the US. |
| US rallying for the Bahamas | US rallying for the Bahamas |
| Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio says the US is ready to provide aid and assistance to the Bahamas. The island archipelago nation is in dire straits after Hurricane Dorian sat at a category 5 with winds at 200mph and above sat over it over the long weekend. | Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio says the US is ready to provide aid and assistance to the Bahamas. The island archipelago nation is in dire straits after Hurricane Dorian sat at a category 5 with winds at 200mph and above sat over it over the long weekend. |
| It’s barely shifting away from there now, but is very slowly on the move and the full extent of the death and destruction it has left behind is yet to be revealed to the outside world. So far we have just had awful glimpses of the situation, as ordinary people on social media and Bahamian government figures have put out small updates. | It’s barely shifting away from there now, but is very slowly on the move and the full extent of the death and destruction it has left behind is yet to be revealed to the outside world. So far we have just had awful glimpses of the situation, as ordinary people on social media and Bahamian government figures have put out small updates. |
| Speaking to @uscoastguard over the last day about the #Bahamas.U.S. is ready to deploy behind #HurricaneDorian to provide aid & assitance to our neighbors on the islands. “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together"#BahamasStrong | Speaking to @uscoastguard over the last day about the #Bahamas.U.S. is ready to deploy behind #HurricaneDorian to provide aid & assitance to our neighbors on the islands. “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together"#BahamasStrong |
| United Nations prepping relief for Bahamas | United Nations prepping relief for Bahamas |
| UN agencies said on Tuesday that they had emergency medical and food aid ready to help the people of the Bahamas after the devastating passage of hurricane Dorian through the island chain. | UN agencies said on Tuesday that they had emergency medical and food aid ready to help the people of the Bahamas after the devastating passage of hurricane Dorian through the island chain. |
| They estimate that at least 61,000 people will need food aid after the monster storm hit the islands, officials told reporters in Geneva, the South African-based news letter The Citizen reports. | They estimate that at least 61,000 people will need food aid after the monster storm hit the islands, officials told reporters in Geneva, the South African-based news letter The Citizen reports. |
| The islands’ water system is damaged and fresh water will be a priority, the UN Office for coordination of humanitarian affairs reported. | The islands’ water system is damaged and fresh water will be a priority, the UN Office for coordination of humanitarian affairs reported. |
| UN experts are waiting for government clearance before assessing the situation on the ground, said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke. | UN experts are waiting for government clearance before assessing the situation on the ground, said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke. |
| The OCHA statement said the authorities on Abaco island were talking of “catastrophic damage”, while emergency officials on Grand Bahama were reporting massive flooding there. | The OCHA statement said the authorities on Abaco island were talking of “catastrophic damage”, while emergency officials on Grand Bahama were reporting massive flooding there. |
| Herve Verhoosel for the World Food Program said their initial estimate suggested that 47,000 people would need food aid on Grand Bahama and another 14,000 on Abaco. | Herve Verhoosel for the World Food Program said their initial estimate suggested that 47,000 people would need food aid on Grand Bahama and another 14,000 on Abaco. |
| Emergency medical teams were also standing by to intervene, said Fadela Chaib, spokesperson for the World Health Organization. | Emergency medical teams were also standing by to intervene, said Fadela Chaib, spokesperson for the World Health Organization. |
| Unrecognizable | Unrecognizable |
| The Freedom International Airport in the Bahamas is under water. | The Freedom International Airport in the Bahamas is under water. |
| This is reportedly video of the Freeedom International Airport in Bahamas. As you can see there is no place for a plane to land. #HurricaneDorian https://t.co/aU2M2AdYdx | This is reportedly video of the Freeedom International Airport in Bahamas. As you can see there is no place for a plane to land. #HurricaneDorian https://t.co/aU2M2AdYdx |