Forecasters in the US have warned there's an increasing risk of "strong winds and life-threatening storm surge" along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina due to Hurricane Dorian.
The powerful category 4 hurricane is currently moving across the Atlantic, with sustained winds of almost 225 km/h.
It's expected to pass to the north of the southeastern and central Bahamas today, before reaching the northwestern Bahamas tomorrow.
"Devastating hurricane force-winds" are expected in parts of the Bahamas over the coming days, and officials there have issued an evacuation order for the Abacos and parts of Grand Bahama islands.
1/2 Today, in preparation for #HurricaneDorian, I announced the emergency evacuation of residents of the northern cays of Abaco to mainland Abaco, and urged residents of West End, East End and Sweeting’s Cay and Water’s Cay in Grand Bahama to move to the interior of the island. pic.twitter.com/IFN9XhZlex
— Dr Hubert Minnis (@minnis_dr) August 30, 2019
In the US, residents in Florida have been bracing for an "absolute monster" of a storm as Dorian continues to approach.
A state of emergency was declared in Florida on Thursday but no mass evacuations have been ordered.
However, Orlando International Airport yesterday announced it would halt commercial flight operations on Monday "out of an abundance of caution" due to the "very serious storm".
In an update this morning, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said there's been a "notable change overnight" in the forecast.
The @HRD_AOML_NOAA Hurricane Hunters are providing valuable radar data in the inner-core of #Dorian this morning. Here's a look from the @NOAA_HurrHunter radar on the most recent trip through the center. Get the latest Dorian forecast at https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/v1eJxhmj5w
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 31, 2019
They stress there's still a risk of Dorian making landfall on the Florida coast, amid uncertainty over the exact path of the powerful and unpredictable storm.
Their latest forecast notes: "Significant impacts could also occur even if the center of Dorian stays offshore.
"With the change in the forecast, the risk of strong winds and life-threatening storm surge is increasing along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina during the middle of next week."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged locals to remain vigilant as the entire east coast of the state was still vulnerable:
Although the path of #Dorian has shifted, the entire East Coast is still vulnerable to significant impacts. Residents in East Coast counties should continue to monitor local reports and stay vigilant.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 31, 2019
He'd previously urged people to take the threat from the storm seriously and have a plan in place - including having a stock of seven days worth of food, water and medicine.
