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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)
Queen Elizabeth, queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, shared her condolences with the Governor-General of the Bahamas, an independent commonwealth realm since 1973, a little earlier today.
As head of state, she sent the message from herself and her husband.
“Prince Philip and I have been shocked and saddened to learn of the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian, and we send our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives following this terrible storm,” the statement from Buckingham Palace began.
“At this very difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with those who have seen their homes and property destroyed, and I also send my gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers who are supporting the rescue and recovery effort.”
South Carolina beaches under threat
Extensive beach erosion already causing problems ahead of #Dorian at Isle of Palms at Breach Inlet side. Our beaches are ready weakened. Pic by Ginger Sutton. @scdhec @NWSCharlestonSC #chswx pic.twitter.com/hgbgz2Vb92
The National Hurricane Center reports that Dorian continues to move away from the Bahamas, towards Florida, and high winds are being experienced in the state.The National Hurricane Center reports that Dorian continues to move away from the Bahamas, towards Florida, and high winds are being experienced in the state.
These are likely to get stronger over the next 24 hours.These are likely to get stronger over the next 24 hours.
3 PM EDT: Here is the latest Tropical Cyclone Update on #Dorian, as tropical storm force winds are now occurring along the Florida east coast. See https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb for more information. pic.twitter.com/uFKnXiJlDB3 PM EDT: Here is the latest Tropical Cyclone Update on #Dorian, as tropical storm force winds are now occurring along the Florida east coast. See https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb for more information. pic.twitter.com/uFKnXiJlDB
DorianDorian
Rip tidesRip tides
There are more folks out on the beach in Florida than one might imagine when a hurricane is bearing down.There are more folks out on the beach in Florida than one might imagine when a hurricane is bearing down.
But the US National Weather Service is reminding the public about some of the dangers that can’t be seen until you’re in the grip of them.But the US National Weather Service is reminding the public about some of the dangers that can’t be seen until you’re in the grip of them.
If you get caught in a #RipCurrent, STAY CALM. As illustrated by this green dye in a rip current; it will pull you away from shore. If you try to fight the rip current & swim against it, you will just get worn out. Instead - swim parallel to the beach! https://t.co/TtgOsoLzlm https://t.co/mA1p1oTYNm pic.twitter.com/ctnEjZdLRVIf you get caught in a #RipCurrent, STAY CALM. As illustrated by this green dye in a rip current; it will pull you away from shore. If you try to fight the rip current & swim against it, you will just get worn out. Instead - swim parallel to the beach! https://t.co/TtgOsoLzlm https://t.co/mA1p1oTYNm pic.twitter.com/ctnEjZdLRV
“Conditions were much worse than expected”“Conditions were much worse than expected”
Hat tip to CNN for some of their latest reporting from the Bahamas, amid the wrath of Hurricane Dorian.Hat tip to CNN for some of their latest reporting from the Bahamas, amid the wrath of Hurricane Dorian.
“Conditions were much worse than I expected,” @CNN_Oppmann reports on the ground in the Bahamas. He says that some residents were forced to take refuge on their roofs and that “people are risking their lives to save their neighbors and family.” https://t.co/aWYPdjX3bA pic.twitter.com/EfeibqDXMA“Conditions were much worse than I expected,” @CNN_Oppmann reports on the ground in the Bahamas. He says that some residents were forced to take refuge on their roofs and that “people are risking their lives to save their neighbors and family.” https://t.co/aWYPdjX3bA pic.twitter.com/EfeibqDXMA
Here are some images of the scene in Daytona Beach, Florida, this afternoon, where Niall Macaulay is taking pictures for Guardian US.Here are some images of the scene in Daytona Beach, Florida, this afternoon, where Niall Macaulay is taking pictures for Guardian US.
Shooting the breezeShooting the breeze
Storm a-comingStorm a-coming
On the promenadeOn the promenade
Meanwhile, at Daytona BeachMeanwhile, at Daytona Beach
Despite the whipping wind and rain, there are quite a few casual observers on Daytona Beach, our contributor Maria Bakkalapulo writes this afternoon.Despite the whipping wind and rain, there are quite a few casual observers on Daytona Beach, our contributor Maria Bakkalapulo writes this afternoon.
Most are here to see what the ocean looks like before Hurricane Dorian makes the coast off-limits.Most are here to see what the ocean looks like before Hurricane Dorian makes the coast off-limits.
Some are blogging, some are goofing around, taking selfies on the playground slides as the rain drenches them, others are pursued for comment by local TV crews!As the weather deteriorated, cop cars are slowly moving in to urge the tourists off the beach.Some are blogging, some are goofing around, taking selfies on the playground slides as the rain drenches them, others are pursued for comment by local TV crews!As the weather deteriorated, cop cars are slowly moving in to urge the tourists off the beach.
Almost everywhere is closed, with the exception of one defiant hide away, the local IHOP restaurant [editor’s note to international readers: that’ll be the famous American diner chain inaptly, perhaps, named International House of Pancakes] - with the words ‘open’ sprayed in three-foot high letters across its plywood-boarded windows.Almost everywhere is closed, with the exception of one defiant hide away, the local IHOP restaurant [editor’s note to international readers: that’ll be the famous American diner chain inaptly, perhaps, named International House of Pancakes] - with the words ‘open’ sprayed in three-foot high letters across its plywood-boarded windows.
Rushing in with our umbrella broken in half, server 40-year-old Natalie Youngdale greets us at the door, laughs and says “I am the lucky one, I get to work today.”Rushing in with our umbrella broken in half, server 40-year-old Natalie Youngdale greets us at the door, laughs and says “I am the lucky one, I get to work today.”
She comments that there was a line out the door all morning, and it was hard getting people willing to work. With only one cook and two waitresses taking orders and serving food, the staff had to recruit their family members.She comments that there was a line out the door all morning, and it was hard getting people willing to work. With only one cook and two waitresses taking orders and serving food, the staff had to recruit their family members.
For the patrons facing likely power outages, today’s lunch may be their last hot meal for a while.Youngdale has lived here all her life. She was really nervous at first, that Dorian could be ‘the big one’.For the patrons facing likely power outages, today’s lunch may be their last hot meal for a while.Youngdale has lived here all her life. She was really nervous at first, that Dorian could be ‘the big one’.
She is more relieved now, smiling as she serves her last stacks of pancakes smothered in whipped cream, and BLTs with fries. “I am just happy it is fizzling out a bit.”She is more relieved now, smiling as she serves her last stacks of pancakes smothered in whipped cream, and BLTs with fries. “I am just happy it is fizzling out a bit.”
The IHOP is closing at 3 pm local time, ie it closed seconds ago, a marker in the day that the weather will begin to dominate the area, with everyone retreating to the mainland.The IHOP is closing at 3 pm local time, ie it closed seconds ago, a marker in the day that the weather will begin to dominate the area, with everyone retreating to the mainland.
Dorian’s 48 hoursDorian’s 48 hours
Here’s a handy time-lapse clip of Dorian whirling itself into a damaging frenzy as it pummeled the Bahamas.Here’s a handy time-lapse clip of Dorian whirling itself into a damaging frenzy as it pummeled the Bahamas.
48 HOURS OF DORIAN | From noon Sunday to Tuesday at noon, #Hurricane #Dorian ravaged the #Bahamas as you can see in this time-lapse. Latest track ---> https://t.co/VPGeukCzhG #hurricanedorian pic.twitter.com/9RNHA6Av6q48 HOURS OF DORIAN | From noon Sunday to Tuesday at noon, #Hurricane #Dorian ravaged the #Bahamas as you can see in this time-lapse. Latest track ---> https://t.co/VPGeukCzhG #hurricanedorian pic.twitter.com/9RNHA6Av6q
Taking a soakingTaking a soaking
Grand Bahama under waterGrand Bahama under water
These images show Grand Bahama before and after Dorian hit.These images show Grand Bahama before and after Dorian hit.
These satellite images show Grand Bahama before and after Hurricane Dorian's wrath https://t.co/wI8yQiHGkz pic.twitter.com/3budNTJ1nBThese satellite images show Grand Bahama before and after Hurricane Dorian's wrath https://t.co/wI8yQiHGkz pic.twitter.com/3budNTJ1nB
Where does Dorian go now?Where does Dorian go now?
Here’s the Guardian’s ‘where next’ take on the hurricane, from our Lauren Aratani.Here’s the Guardian’s ‘where next’ take on the hurricane, from our Lauren Aratani.
What to expect next from Hurricane DorianWhat to expect next from Hurricane Dorian
From the Bahamas, without much mercyFrom the Bahamas, without much mercy
Florida waitsFlorida 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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 advisoriesStorm 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/HjZeJUPkX3Powerful 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 batteredWindswept 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.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 alertsState 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.