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Hurricane Dorian: Devastation in Bahamas emerges | Hurricane Dorian: Devastation in Bahamas emerges |
(32 minutes later) | |
Rescuers have begun to reach areas of the northern Bahamas devastated by Hurricane Dorian, with aerial images showing a trail of destruction. | Rescuers have begun to reach areas of the northern Bahamas devastated by Hurricane Dorian, with aerial images showing a trail of destruction. |
PM Hubert Minnis said some areas had been "decimated" and expected the current death toll of seven would rise. | PM Hubert Minnis said some areas had been "decimated" and expected the current death toll of seven would rise. |
The hurricane winds that hit the Abaco Islands equalled the highest ever recorded at landfall, and Grand Bahama also suffered severe damage and floods. | The hurricane winds that hit the Abaco Islands equalled the highest ever recorded at landfall, and Grand Bahama also suffered severe damage and floods. |
Dorian has moved off north but still threatens the eastern US seaboard. | Dorian has moved off north but still threatens the eastern US seaboard. |
Although the hurricane has weakened to a category two storm with maximum sustained winds of 110mph (175km/h), it has grown larger in area. | Although the hurricane has weakened to a category two storm with maximum sustained winds of 110mph (175km/h), it has grown larger in area. |
What is the damage to the Abacos and Grand Bahama? | What is the damage to the Abacos and Grand Bahama? |
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." | 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." |
He said this was "one of the greatest national crises in our country's history". | He said this was "one of the greatest national crises in our country's history". |
Lia Head-Rigby, who runs a relief group and overflew the Abacos, said her representatives had told her there were "a lot more dead". | Lia Head-Rigby, who runs a relief group and overflew the Abacos, said her representatives had told her there were "a lot more dead". |
"It's total devastation. It's decimated. Apocalyptic," she told the Associated Press news agency. | "It's total devastation. It's decimated. Apocalyptic," she told the Associated Press news agency. |
Aerial images over the Abacos showed mile upon mile of destruction, with roofs torn off, scattered debris, overturned cars, shipping containers and boats, and high water levels. | |
Opposition leader Philip Brave Davis described the scenes from a flight over the islands as a "horrible sight". | Opposition leader Philip Brave Davis described the scenes from a flight over the islands as a "horrible sight". |
Parts of the Bahamas received up to 35in (89cm) of rain. | Parts of the Bahamas received up to 35in (89cm) of rain. |
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. | 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 major relief agencies had yet to get through. Most rescue work was being done on an ad hoc basis by locals using boats and jet skis. | |
One survivor in Freeport on Grand Bahama, crab fisherman Howard Armstrong, told CNN floodwaters had reached the roof of his house and his wife "got hypothermia and she was standing on top of the kitchen cabinets until they disintegrated... I kept with her and she just drowned on me". | |
Mr Minnis said: "Our priority at this time is search rescue and recovery. 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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 06:00 GMT, the National Hurricane Centre said Dorian was centred about 200km (125 miles) north of Grand Bahama and about 130km east of Cape Canaveral in Florida. | At 06:00 GMT, the National Hurricane Centre said Dorian was centred about 200km (125 miles) north of Grand Bahama and about 130km east of Cape Canaveral in Florida. |
It is moving north-northwest at 11km/h (7mph) and is forecast to quicken slightly and turn north-northeast. | It is moving north-northwest at 11km/h (7mph) 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. |
President Donald Trump tweeted that the US "may be getting a little bit lucky with respect to Hurricane Dorian, but please don't let down your guard". | |
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: |