Hurricane Dorian is the latest powerful storm system to thrash around in the Atlantic Ocean, as it threatens the Bahamas with severe 150mph winds. The storm has gradually strengthened in the ocean since last week and is expected to eventually power into the US east coast. however, at the moment the storm is tearing through the Bahamas at just 1mph, bringing untold destruction and catastrophe to the island nation.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Hurricane Centre (NHC) the core of Dorian will remain over the Bahamas until at least tonight.
The latest advisory states: “Dorian is moving very slowly toward the west-northwest near 1 mph (2 km/h).
“A slow westward to west-northwestward motion is forecast during the next day or so, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest and north.
“On this track, the core of extremely dangerous Hurricane Dorian will continue to pound Grand Bahama Island through much of today and tonight.”
“The hurricane will then move dangerously close to the Florida east coast late tonight through Wednesday evening and then move dangerously close to the Georgia and South Carolina coasts on Wednesday night and Thursday.
“Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph (240 km/h) with higher gusts.
“Dorian is an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
“Although gradual weakening is forecast, Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next couple of days.”
The latest advisory specifies the following warnings are in effect:
Storm Surge Warning
– Lantana to the Flagler/Volusia County Line
Storm Surge Watch
– North of Deerfield Beach to south of Lantana
– Flagler/Volusia County Line to the Savannah River
Hurricane Warning
– Grand Bahama and the Abacos Islands in the northwestern Bahamas
– Jupiter Inlet to the Flagler/Volusia County Line
Hurricane Watch
– North of Deerfield Beach to Jupiter Inlet
– Flagler/Volusia County Line to the Altamaha Sound Georgia
Tropical Storm Warning
– North of Deerfield Beach to Jupiter Inlet
Tropical Storm Watch
– North of Golden Beach to Deerfield Beach
– Lake Okeechobee
Conditions in the Bahamas are reaching breaking point, as they are blocking emergency services from reaching people who are stranded due to the storm.
Talking to Bahamas radion station ZNS, Police Chief Samuel Butler said: “We simply cannot get to you”.
Emergency teams are operating with power from generators, but the extreme weather could render them inoperable.
The Associated Press reported authorities have warned those stranded to retreat to a floating platform and share their location via GPS.