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Hurricane Dorian: Death toll rises in Bahamas Hurricane Dorian: Devastation in Bahamas emerges
(about 1 hour later)
At least seven people are confirmed to have died in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc on the island nation. Rescuers have begun to reach areas of the northern Bahamas devastated by Hurricane Dorian, with aerial images showing a trail of destruction.
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said the country can "expect more deaths", and said parts of the Abaco Islands had been "decimated" by the storm. PM Hubert Minnis said some areas had been "decimated" and expected the current death toll of seven would rise.
The hurricane has finally moved away from the Bahamas after causing widespread destruction. The hurricane winds that hit the Abaco Islands equalled the highest ever recorded at landfall, and Grand Bahama also suffered severe damage and floods.
Latest reports say the storm is moving parallel to the coast of Florida. Dorian has moved off north but still threatens the eastern US seaboard.
Although Hurricane Dorian has weakened to a category two storm it has grown larger in area, and has maximum sustained winds of 110mph (177km/h). Although the hurricane has weakened to a category two storm with maximum sustained winds of 110mph (177km/h), it has grown larger in area.
What did the prime minister say? What is the damage to the Abacos and Grand Bahama?
Mr Minnis held a press conference after he and a delegation of other politicians and officials conducted an initial assessment of the damage to the Abaco Islands. Mr Minnis confirmed the death toll had risen from five to seven, but added: "We can expect more deaths to be recorded. This is just preliminary information."
The archipelago lies east of Grand Bahama and was hit hard by the arrival of Hurricane Dorian as a category five storm over the weekend. He said this was "one of the greatest national crises in our country's history".
"Parts of Abaco are decimated," the prime minister said, reporting there had been "severe flooding and severe damage" to homes, businesses and infrastructure - with the area around the airport now looking "like a lake". Lia Head-Rigby, who runs a relief group and overflew the Abacos, said her representatives had told her there were "a lot more dead".
The north of the island - including the town of Marsh Harbor - was more badly affected than the south, he said. "It's total devastation. It's decimated. Apocalyptic," she told the Associated Press news agency.
Opposition leader Philip Brave Davis described the scenes from a flight over the island as a "horrible sight". Aerial images over the Abacos showed mile upon mile of destruction, with roofs torn off, scattered debris, overturned cars and boats, and high water levels.
No hurricane had ever made landfall with greater wind speeds in the Bahamas, and thousands of people have called for help to escape rising flood waters and buildings torn to pieces by the savage winds. Opposition leader Philip Brave Davis described the scenes from a flight over the islands as a "horrible sight".
"Our priority at this time is search rescue and recovery," Mr Minnis said. "It will take all of us as a caring community - government, church, businesses and individuals - to help restore the lives of our people." Parts of the Bahamas received up to 35in (89cm) of rain.
He praised first responders and the "bravery and fortitude" of his fellow citizens, stressing that more food and supplies are ready for distribution once the weather settles. The situation on Grand Bahama is less clear, as Dorian only moved on late on Tuesday after nearly two days of pummelling, cutting many communication lines.
Mr Minnis said relief agencies had yet to get through.
"Our priority at this time is search rescue and recovery," he said. "It will take all of us as a caring community - government, church, businesses and individuals - to help restore the lives of our people."
People have taken to social media to post lists of those they have lost contact with during the storm.
The International Red Cross fears 45% of homes on Grand Bahama and the Abacos - some 13,000 properties - have been severely damaged or destroyed.
Some 60,000 people will need food aid and clean water, UN officials say.
A map from the Finnish satellite company ICEYE showed the extent of the flooding on Grand Bahama:
Where is the storm now?Where is the storm now?
At 03:00 GMT, the National Hurricane Centre said Dorian was centred about 200km (125 miles) north of Grand Bahama and about 130km off Florida's coastal town of Titusville.At 03:00 GMT, the National Hurricane Centre said Dorian was centred about 200km (125 miles) north of Grand Bahama and about 130km off Florida's coastal town of Titusville.
It is moving north-northwest at 9km/h (6mph) and is forecast to quicken slightly and turn north-northeast.It is moving north-northwest at 9km/h (6mph) and is forecast to quicken slightly and turn north-northeast.
Hurricane warnings in the Bahamas will be discontinued, but the country remains under tropical storm warnings - with an all-clear not expected until Wednesday morning. Storm surges are expected to subside, an official from the Bahamas weather agency said.Hurricane warnings in the Bahamas will be discontinued, but the country remains under tropical storm warnings - with an all-clear not expected until Wednesday morning. Storm surges are expected to subside, an official from the Bahamas weather agency said.
The NHC said Dorian would still move "dangerously close" to the Florida and Georgia coasts through Wednesday night, then the coasts of the Carolinas through Friday morning.The NHC said Dorian would still move "dangerously close" to the Florida and Georgia coasts through Wednesday night, then the coasts of the Carolinas through Friday morning.
The hurricane is expected to remain at the same strength over the next two days.The hurricane is expected to remain at the same strength over the next two days.
Is climate change making hurricanes worse?Is climate change making hurricanes worse?
Scientists cannot say whether climate change is increasing the number of hurricanes, but the ones that do happen are likely to be more powerful and more destructive because of our warming climate, said BBC Weather's Tomasz Schafernaker.Scientists cannot say whether climate change is increasing the number of hurricanes, but the ones that do happen are likely to be more powerful and more destructive because of our warming climate, said BBC Weather's Tomasz Schafernaker.
Here's why:Here's why:
Use our guide to see how these deadly storms form, their devastating effects and how they are measured:Use our guide to see how these deadly storms form, their devastating effects and how they are measured: