A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-storm-hits-hurricane-ravaged-bahamas-could-become-tropical-storm-249408">Hurricane Dorian left them homeless</a>.

Bahamian meteorologists said the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, which were the worst-hit by Dorian, were in the path of the approaching weather system.

Winds of up to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour were expected and heavy rainfall could bring some flooding to the already saturated islands, said Trevor Basden, director of the Department of Meteorology.

Carl Smith, a spokesman for the Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency, said the storm could have an impact on relief and recovery efforts on Grand Bahama and Abaco.

"The weather system will slow down logistics," Smith told a press conference in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. "Fuel and water remain the biggest needs in Abaco."

Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the UN World Food Program, said flights to Marsh Harbour, the largest town on Abaco, were being suspended because of the storm.

Smith said residents of Abaco should seek shelter.

The NEMA spokesman also said 1,300 people remain unaccounted for following Hurricane Dorian -- the same number he gave on Thursday.

He said 71 people were staying in shelters on Grand Bahama island and 2,037 in shelters in New Providence, where Nassau is located.

"We're no longer receiving large numbers of evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama," Smith said.

He said the authorities were reopening Grand Bahama international airport in Freeport to limited commercial traffic.

The Bahamian authorities have put the death toll from Dorian, a devastating Category 5 storm, at 50 so far.

But they have said they expect that number to rise significantly and a former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham, said this week he feared the final toll could be in the hundreds.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was to visit the Bahamas on Friday to express his "deep solidarity" with the Atlantic archipelago.

Guterres said Thursday that he wanted to encourage the international community to "increase the support to the Bahamas people and to the Bahamas government."

He also said Hurricane Dorian was a warning of the dangers of climate change.

"All this is a demonstration of what we have all been saying in the recent past," he said. "Climate change is running faster than we are and we need to have a much more ambitious approach in what we do in order to defeat climate change."

A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after Hurricane Dorian left them homeless.

A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after Hurricane Dorian left them homeless. Bahamian meteorologists said the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, which were the worst-hit by Dorian, were in the path of the approaching weather system. Winds of up to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour were expected and heavy rainfall could bring some flooding to the already saturated islands, said Trevor Basden, director of the Department of Meteorology. Carl Smith, a spokesman for the Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency, said the storm could have an impact on relief and recovery efforts on Grand Bahama and Abaco. "The weather system will slow down logistics," Smith told a press conference in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. "Fuel and water remain the biggest needs in Abaco." Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the UN World Food Program, said flights to Marsh Harbour, the largest town on Abaco, were being suspended because of the storm. Smith said residents of Abaco should seek shelter. The NEMA spokesman also said 1,300 people remain unaccounted for following Hurricane Dorian -- the same number he gave on Thursday. He said 71 people were staying in shelters on Grand Bahama island and 2,037 in shelters in New Providence, where Nassau is located. "We're no longer receiving large numbers of evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama," Smith said. He said the authorities were reopening Grand Bahama international airport in Freeport to limited commercial traffic. The Bahamian authorities have put the death toll from Dorian, a devastating Category 5 storm, at 50 so far. But they have said they expect that number to rise significantly and a former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham, said this week he feared the final toll could be in the hundreds. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was to visit the Bahamas on Friday to express his "deep solidarity" with the Atlantic archipelago. Guterres said Thursday that he wanted to encourage the international community to "increase the support to the Bahamas people and to the Bahamas government." He also said Hurricane Dorian was a warning of the dangers of climate change. "All this is a demonstration of what we have all been saying in the recent past," he said. "Climate change is running faster than we are and we need to have a much more ambitious approach in what we do in order to defeat climate change."

Tropical storm warning issued for hurricane-hit Bahamas

Some 1,300 people are still unaccounted for in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, officials said Thursday, down from the 2,500 previously reported.

The Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) attributed the drop to cross-referencing names of missing persons with those in shelters.

"It's very fluid," NEMA spokesman Carl Smith told reporters at a press conference in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. &nbsp;

The Bahamian authorities have put the death toll from the devastating Category 5 storm at 50 so far.

But they have said they expect that number to rise significantly and a former prime minister said he feared the final toll could be in the hundreds.

"Based upon information I have, based on my knowledge, there are hundreds of people who died," the Nassau Guardian newspaper quoted former premier Hubert Ingraham as saying on Wednesday.

"I pay no attention to 50," Ingraham said after touring hurricane-ravaged Abaco Island.

"Hundreds of people have died in Abaco, and significant numbers in Grand Bahama," the other island severely damaged by the storm, he said.

"And I don't make wild statements," he said. "I don't make uninformed statements."

Bahamian police commissioner Anthony Ferguson was asked at the press conference about the search for victims of the storm.

"It's a slow process," Ferguson said. "We have to go through all of that rubble, take our time and search.

"It's going to take a long time before you can really say (final) numbers," he said.

Search operations could be impacted by approaching weather.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said in its 5:00 pm (2100 GMT) bulletin that a weather system in the Atlantic was expected to become a tropical storm and bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the northwest Bahamas in the next 36 hours. &nbsp;

Smith, the NEMA spokesman, said 150 people were currently in shelters on the island of Grand Bahama and 2,000 on New Providence, where Nassau is located.

"We are no longer receiving a lot of displaced persons from Abaco," he added.

The NEMA spokesman also said the authorities were suspending deportations of illegal immigrants who were affected by the storm. The Bahamas has a large community of Haitians and some who are in the archipelago illegally have expressed fears of being sent home.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced meanwhile that he would go to the Bahamas on Friday to express his "deep solidarity" with the Atlantic archipelago.

Besides solidarity, Guterres said he wanted to encourage the international community to "increase the support to the Bahamas people and to the Bahamas government."

Guterres also said the hurricane is a warning of the dangers of climate change.

"All this is a demonstration of what we have all been saying in the recent past," he said. "Climate change is running faster than we are and we need to have a much more ambitious approach in what we do in order to defeat climate change."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Some 1,300 people are still unaccounted for in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, officials said Thursday, down from the 2,500 previously reported. The Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) attributed the drop to cross-referencing names of missing persons with those in shelters.

Some 1,300 people are still unaccounted for in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, officials said Thursday, down from the 2,500 previously reported. The Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) attributed the drop to cross-referencing names of missing persons with those in shelters. "It's very fluid," NEMA spokesman Carl Smith told reporters at a press conference in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. The Bahamian authorities have put the death toll from the devastating Category 5 storm at 50 so far. But they have said they expect that number to rise significantly and a former prime minister said he feared the final toll could be in the hundreds. "Based upon information I have, based on my knowledge, there are hundreds of people who died," the Nassau Guardian newspaper quoted former premier Hubert Ingraham as saying on Wednesday. "I pay no attention to 50," Ingraham said after touring hurricane-ravaged Abaco Island. "Hundreds of people have died in Abaco, and significant numbers in Grand Bahama," the other island severely damaged by the storm, he said. "And I don't make wild statements," he said. "I don't make uninformed statements." Bahamian police commissioner Anthony Ferguson was asked at the press conference about the search for victims of the storm. "It's a slow process," Ferguson said. "We have to go through all of that rubble, take our time and search. "It's going to take a long time before you can really say (final) numbers," he said. Search operations could be impacted by approaching weather. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said in its 5:00 pm (2100 GMT) bulletin that a weather system in the Atlantic was expected to become a tropical storm and bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the northwest Bahamas in the next 36 hours. Smith, the NEMA spokesman, said 150 people were currently in shelters on the island of Grand Bahama and 2,000 on New Providence, where Nassau is located. "We are no longer receiving a lot of displaced persons from Abaco," he added. The NEMA spokesman also said the authorities were suspending deportations of illegal immigrants who were affected by the storm. The Bahamas has a large community of Haitians and some who are in the archipelago illegally have expressed fears of being sent home. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced meanwhile that he would go to the Bahamas on Friday to express his "deep solidarity" with the Atlantic archipelago. Besides solidarity, Guterres said he wanted to encourage the international community to "increase the support to the Bahamas people and to the Bahamas government." Guterres also said the hurricane is a warning of the dangers of climate change. "All this is a demonstration of what we have all been saying in the recent past," he said. "Climate change is running faster than we are and we need to have a much more ambitious approach in what we do in order to defeat climate change."

1,300 still missing in hurricane-hit Bahamas: Officials

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the evening from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 13th, 2019

Thousands are feared missing in the Bahamas in the wake of devastating Hurricane Dorian, as residents continue to recount tales of terror more than a week after the top-of-scale Category 5 hurricane ravaged Great Abaco Island, Freeport and other parts of the tourism-dependent country.

Bahamian officials say 2,500 people registered as missing in Dorian's wake

A new storm brought rain and wind to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/1300-still-missing-in-hurricane-hit-bahamas-officials-249303">hurricane-ravaged Bahamas</a> early Friday, with the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning it could turn into a tropical storm.

Early Friday, it was a tropical disturbance over the central Bahamas, packing winds of 30 mph&nbsp;and was expected to drop two to four inches of rain through Sunday, the NHC said.

There is an 80 per cent chance that it will turn into a stronger tropical depression or even a tropical storm named Humberto in the next day or so as it crawls at 6 mph (9 kph) across the Bahamas and takes aim at Florida, the NHC said.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for northwestern Bahamas, including the hurricane-hit Abacos and Grand Bahama, the NHC said.

The storm is expected to pick up speed as it moves northwest on Friday and could hit Florida on Saturday, it said.

A tropical storm watch was issued for portions of the coast of east-central Florida late Thursday and South Florida could see tropical-storm-force winds as early as Friday evening, the NHC said.

Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas on September&nbsp;1 as a Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record to hit land, packing top sustained winds of 185 miles per hour.

The tropical cyclone was not expected to bring anywhere near that level of devastation.

Watch:&nbsp;"Thousands are missing"- Resident of the Bahamas

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With 1,300 people still missing, according to the Bahamian government, relief services are focused on search and rescue as well as providing food, water and shelter.

Aid groups rushed shelter material to residents living in the shells of former homes.

"We're seeing plastic tarps go out all over the islands, and that's extremely important because now you've got another tropical storm coming," said Ken Isaacs, vice president of programs for US&nbsp;relief organization Samaritan's Purse.

The prime minister of the Bahamas, Hubert Minnis, on Wednesday said the official death toll stood at 50 but that it was expected to rise.

Minnis said there were problems coordinating aid due to the level of devastation and he was trying to remove "bureaucratic roadblocks."

Former prime minister Hubert Ingraham said he believed "hundreds" were dead on Abaco "and significant numbers on Grand Bahama," the Nassau Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.

Officials have erected large tents in Nassau to house those made homeless by Dorian and plan to erect tent cities on Abaco to shelter up to 4,000 people.

A new storm brought rain and wind to the hurricane-ravaged Bahamas early Friday, with the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning it could turn into a tropical storm.

A new storm brought rain and wind to the hurricane-ravaged Bahamas early Friday, with the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning it could turn into a tropical storm. Early Friday, it was a tropical disturbance over the central Bahamas, packing winds of 30 mph and was expected to drop two to four inches of rain through Sunday, the NHC said. There is an 80 per cent chance that it will turn into a stronger tropical depression or even a tropical storm named Humberto in the next day or so as it crawls at 6 mph (9 kph) across the Bahamas and takes aim at Florida, the NHC said. A tropical storm warning was in effect for northwestern Bahamas, including the hurricane-hit Abacos and Grand Bahama, the NHC said. The storm is expected to pick up speed as it moves northwest on Friday and could hit Florida on Saturday, it said. A tropical storm watch was issued for portions of the coast of east-central Florida late Thursday and South Florida could see tropical-storm-force winds as early as Friday evening, the NHC said. Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas on September 1 as a Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record to hit land, packing top sustained winds of 185 miles per hour. The tropical cyclone was not expected to bring anywhere near that level of devastation. Watch: "Thousands are missing"- Resident of the Bahamas With 1,300 people still missing, according to the Bahamian government, relief services are focused on search and rescue as well as providing food, water and shelter. Aid groups rushed shelter material to residents living in the shells of former homes. "We're seeing plastic tarps go out all over the islands, and that's extremely important because now you've got another tropical storm coming," said Ken Isaacs, vice president of programs for US relief organization Samaritan's Purse. The prime minister of the Bahamas, Hubert Minnis, on Wednesday said the official death toll stood at 50 but that it was expected to rise. Minnis said there were problems coordinating aid due to the level of devastation and he was trying to remove "bureaucratic roadblocks." Former prime minister Hubert Ingraham said he believed "hundreds" were dead on Abaco "and significant numbers on Grand Bahama," the Nassau Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday. Officials have erected large tents in Nassau to house those made homeless by Dorian and plan to erect tent cities on Abaco to shelter up to 4,000 people.

New storm hits hurricane-ravaged Bahamas, could become tropical storm

Some 2,500 people are still listed as missing in the Bahamas more than a week after Hurricane Dorian pummeled the Caribbean island chain, although that number may include evacuees who fled to shelters, authorities said on Wednesday.

Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told the nation in a televised address that the death toll from Dorian remained at 50, but conceded that the large number of people missing meant that number would rise.

"The number of deaths is expected to significantly increase," Minnis said, adding the government was being transparent and would provide "timely information on the loss of life as it is available."

Emergency management officials told a separate news conference that the list of missing had not yet been checked against records of evacuees or the thousands of people staying in shelters.

"My friends are missing, a few of my cousins are missing over there, five in total, they lived in Marsh Harbour," said Clara Bain, a 38-year-old tour guide, referring to the Abaco town where officials estimate that 90% of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed.

"Everyone on the islands are missing someone, it`s really devastating," she said.

Dorian slammed into the Bahamas on September&nbsp;1 as a Category 5 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of intensity, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record to make a direct hit on land and packing top sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (298 kph).

"Our sympathies go out to the families of each person who died," Minnis said. "Let us pray for them during this time of grief. We offer you our shoulders to cry on. You will never be forgotten."

More than 5,000 people evacuated to New Providence, the island where the capital, Nassau, is located, in the face of the worst hurricane in the country`s history. But there has since been a significant reduction in the number now asking to be relocated, according to emergency management officials.

Some 15,000 people are still in need of shelter or food, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.

Officials have already put up large tents in Nassau to house those made homeless by the storm and plan to erect tent cities on Abaco capable of sheltering up to 4,000 people.

Minnis thanked US President Donald Trump and the American people for mobilizing support and urged Bahamians to pitch in with relief efforts by volunteering or donating money to legitimate charities.

The White House said on Wednesday the United States would not give temporary protected immigration status to people fleeing the Bahamas after the hurricane.

The status would have allowed Bahamians to live and work in the United States while their country recovers.

Private forecasters estimated that Dorian destroyed or damaged some $3 billion in insured property in the Bahamas or elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Commercial flights to Abaco, one of the hardest-hit areas, resumed on a limited basis on Wednesday.

Some 2,500 people are still listed as missing in the Bahamas more than a week after Hurricane Dorian pummeled the Caribbean island chain, although that number may include evacuees who fled to shelters, authorities said on Wednesday.

Some 2,500 people are still listed as missing in the Bahamas more than a week after Hurricane Dorian pummeled the Caribbean island chain, although that number may include evacuees who fled to shelters, authorities said on Wednesday. Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told the nation in a televised address that the death toll from Dorian remained at 50, but conceded that the large number of people missing meant that number would rise. "The number of deaths is expected to significantly increase," Minnis said, adding the government was being transparent and would provide "timely information on the loss of life as it is available." Emergency management officials told a separate news conference that the list of missing had not yet been checked against records of evacuees or the thousands of people staying in shelters. "My friends are missing, a few of my cousins are missing over there, five in total, they lived in Marsh Harbour," said Clara Bain, a 38-year-old tour guide, referring to the Abaco town where officials estimate that 90% of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed. "Everyone on the islands are missing someone, it`s really devastating," she said. Dorian slammed into the Bahamas on September 1 as a Category 5 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of intensity, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record to make a direct hit on land and packing top sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (298 kph). "Our sympathies go out to the families of each person who died," Minnis said. "Let us pray for them during this time of grief. We offer you our shoulders to cry on. You will never be forgotten." More than 5,000 people evacuated to New Providence, the island where the capital, Nassau, is located, in the face of the worst hurricane in the country`s history. But there has since been a significant reduction in the number now asking to be relocated, according to emergency management officials. Some 15,000 people are still in need of shelter or food, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Officials have already put up large tents in Nassau to house those made homeless by the storm and plan to erect tent cities on Abaco capable of sheltering up to 4,000 people. Minnis thanked US President Donald Trump and the American people for mobilizing support and urged Bahamians to pitch in with relief efforts by volunteering or donating money to legitimate charities. The White House said on Wednesday the United States would not give temporary protected immigration status to people fleeing the Bahamas after the hurricane. The status would have allowed Bahamians to live and work in the United States while their country recovers. Private forecasters estimated that Dorian destroyed or damaged some $3 billion in insured property in the Bahamas or elsewhere in the Caribbean. Commercial flights to Abaco, one of the hardest-hit areas, resumed on a limited basis on Wednesday.

Bahamas says 2,500 missing after Dorian; Prime Minister warns death toll to rise 'significantly'

"Thousands are missing"- Resident of the Bahamas

Bahamas authorities have updated the death toll from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-fears-of-higher-dorian-death-toll-islanders-vie-to-leave-248405">Hurricane Dorian to 50</a> with the number expected to climb, local media reported, as thousands are evacuated from the archipelago's hardest-hit islands.

Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said 42 deceased persons on the island of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mosquito-spray-diapers-flashlights-cannot-beat-cash-for-dorian-relief-248036"> Abaco and eight on Grand Bahama</a> had been recovered as of Sunday, in an article published in The Nassau Guardian.

"We anticipate the discovery of more deceased persons, as the process of search and recovery progresses," he said.

The news comes as the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported "particularly startling" devastation in places like Marsh Harbour in the Abacos, particularly in its shantytowns.

"Communities such as The Mudd and Pigeon Pea, where 70 per cent of informal housing in Abaco existed, and where an overwhelming majority of Haitian migrants resided, has been decimated," it said in a statement.

"The Mudd is gone," said IOM's Brian Kelly, who is leading the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team in the area.

The Haitians migrants "are in a very tough situation, just as many of the Bahamians," he said.

Some 90 per cent of housing and infrastructure is damaged or destroyed on Abaco, the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a statement, reporting thousands of houses leveled, telecommunications towers down and roads blocked.

Approximately 76,000 people were affected by Dorian, the IOM said, citing official reports. Of these, thousands have been evacuated and about 860 are in emergency shelters in the capital city of Nassau.

"The rest of the people remain in the affected areas," said Vynliz Dailey, IOM assessment mission officer.

An estimated 5,000 people had been evacuated by the Bahamas, the WFP said, citing data provided by the government.

The organization said it had distributed 1,000 tarpaulin coats to serve as temporary roofs for destroyed homes in Marsh Harbour while the World Food Programme said it had passed out more than 1,500 ready-to-eat meals, after offloading 13,800 at Marsh Harbour. 
&nbsp;

Bahamas authorities have updated the death toll from Hurricane Dorian to 50 with the number expected to climb, local media reported, as thousands are evacuated from the archipelago's hardest-hit islands.

Bahamas authorities have updated the death toll from Hurricane Dorian to 50 with the number expected to climb, local media reported, as thousands are evacuated from the archipelago's hardest-hit islands. Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said 42 deceased persons on the island of Abaco and eight on Grand Bahama had been recovered as of Sunday, in an article published in The Nassau Guardian. "We anticipate the discovery of more deceased persons, as the process of search and recovery progresses," he said. The news comes as the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported "particularly startling" devastation in places like Marsh Harbour in the Abacos, particularly in its shantytowns. "Communities such as The Mudd and Pigeon Pea, where 70 per cent of informal housing in Abaco existed, and where an overwhelming majority of Haitian migrants resided, has been decimated," it said in a statement. "The Mudd is gone," said IOM's Brian Kelly, who is leading the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team in the area. The Haitians migrants "are in a very tough situation, just as many of the Bahamians," he said. Some 90 per cent of housing and infrastructure is damaged or destroyed on Abaco, the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a statement, reporting thousands of houses leveled, telecommunications towers down and roads blocked. Approximately 76,000 people were affected by Dorian, the IOM said, citing official reports. Of these, thousands have been evacuated and about 860 are in emergency shelters in the capital city of Nassau. "The rest of the people remain in the affected areas," said Vynliz Dailey, IOM assessment mission officer. An estimated 5,000 people had been evacuated by the Bahamas, the WFP said, citing data provided by the government. The organization said it had distributed 1,000 tarpaulin coats to serve as temporary roofs for destroyed homes in Marsh Harbour while the World Food Programme said it had passed out more than 1,500 ready-to-eat meals, after offloading 13,800 at Marsh Harbour.

Bahamas Dorian toll climbs to 50; thousands evacuated

Hurricane Dorian's devastation in Bahamas, more than 70,000 left homeless. Watch this video to know more.

Hurricane Dorian's devastation in Bahamas, more than 70,000 left homeless

Bahamians scrambled to escape the islands hardest-hit by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-weakens-to-category-2-hurricane-us-meteorologists-247448">Dorian</a>, which has killed at least 43 people, while the storm wreaked "havoc" farther north in Canada after making landfall near Halifax Saturday.

Even as some Bahamians began to reunite with their loved ones, the death toll 35 so far in the Abaco Islands and eight in Grand Bahama was likely to climb "significantly," according to Prime Minister Hubert Minnis.

A loosely coordinated armada of passenger planes, helicopters and both private and government boats and ships including redirected cruise liners -- converged in the Bahamas on the horribly battered Abacos to help with evacuations, both to Nassau and to the US mainland.

Evacuees began flowing out of the region as a cruise ship carrying 1,400 people docked Saturday in Riviera Beach, Florida, CNN reported. All had documents to enter the United States.

The Coast Guard said that all Bahamian ports had now reopened and that it had deployed nine cutters to the islands.

Six of its MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters had so far rescued 290 people.

And more than 260 Abacos residents arrived Friday in Nassau on a government-chartered ferry, part of the first wave of people to be evacuated off the archipelago's most decimated islands.

Thousands of miles (kilometers) north, Dorian, now classified as a post-tropical cyclone, was "wreaking havoc over the Canadian Maritimes," the US-based National Hurricane Center said.

More than 500,000 power outages were reported according to the Canadian Hurricane Centre, which said the problem extended across the Maritimes, a three-province region in east Canada comprising Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Dorian made landfall earlier in the day south of the port city of Halifax, home to Canada's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-to-hit-bahamas-as-devastating-hurricane-then-menace-georgia-and-carolinas-246935">Atlantic</a> fleet.

"We're talking about a very dangerous storm," Bob Robichaud of the Canadian Hurricane Centre told a briefing.

Television images showed a downpour and howling winds in the empty streets of downtown Halifax where a crane collapsed onto a semi-constructed building and a roof was torn off another apartment.

No significant injuries or fatalities had been reported according to Halifax Regional Police late Saturday, The Toronto Star said.

Police had evacuated 150 people from downtown Halifax, including residents of the apartment building, they said.

Catastrophic and devastating

Bahamas residents said conditions on the devastated islands were brutal and that the smell of unrecovered bodies, along with mounting piles of garbage, was oppressive and unsanitaryHundreds or even thousands of people were still missing, officials said, as search-and-rescue teams continued their grim retrievals.

Meanwhile, Minnis said Nassau "cannot possibly accommodate" all the Abaco victims.

For now, he said, supplies of food and water were adequate, although several witnesses from Abaco contested that.

While the prime minister called the loss of life "catastrophic and devastating," Health Minister Duane Sands said the final death toll "will be staggering."

UN relief officials said more than 70,000 people on Grand Bahama and Abaco were in need of assistance.

The WFP was sending food and supplies.

A UN World Food Program team estimated that 90 per cent of buildings in Marsh Harbour were damaged.

The US Coast Guard, Britain's Royal Navy and private organizations have been helping evacuate island residents to Nassau, hampered by damaged piers and airport runways.

Chamika Durosier was waiting on Saturday at the Abaco airport. The island, she said, was unsafe.

"The home that we were in fell on us," she said. "We had to crawl -- got out crawling. By the grace of God, we are alive."She described the increasingly desperate plight of those left behind.

"People have no food. People have no water, and it's not right. They should have been gone.

"Dead bodies are still around and it's not sanitary."

Stay safe and listen

Dorian, a monstrous Category 5 hurricane when it raked through the Bahamas, was buffeting eastern Canada with winds equivalent to those of a Category 1 hurricane.

Although it packed hurricane-force maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour (150 kilometres per hour), these were occurring primarily over water, the US-based National Hurricane Center reported in its 11:00 pm (0300 GMT) advisory.

Storm surges were causing widespread flooding and three to five inches (7.5 to 12.5 centimetres) of rain were expected in Nova Scotia.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was briefed on the storm."The safety of Canadians is our number one priority and we're ready to help Atlantic Canada through this storm," he said on Twitter.

Canada was sending up to 700 troops to Atlantic provinces to assist "with the restoration of power services, clearing main roadways and evacuating residents in flooded or severely damaged areas," Goodale said in a statement.

Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan assured Canadians on Twitter that "our Armed Forces will be there to aid you in this challenging time. Stay safe and listen to your local first responders."

Dorian was expected to "drop below hurricane strength on Sunday" and move "near or over" western Newfoundland then enter the North Atlantic later in the day, the NHC said.

Earlier, Dorian brought flooding and power outages but no major damage to the coastal Carolinas and Virginia in the United States.&nbsp;

Bahamians scrambled to escape the islands hardest-hit by Dorian, which has killed at least 43 people, while the storm wreaked "havoc" farther north in Canada after making landfall near Halifax Saturday.

Bahamians scrambled to escape the islands hardest-hit by Dorian, which has killed at least 43 people, while the storm wreaked "havoc" farther north in Canada after making landfall near Halifax Saturday. Even as some Bahamians began to reunite with their loved ones, the death toll 35 so far in the Abaco Islands and eight in Grand Bahama was likely to climb "significantly," according to Prime Minister Hubert Minnis. A loosely coordinated armada of passenger planes, helicopters and both private and government boats and ships including redirected cruise liners -- converged in the Bahamas on the horribly battered Abacos to help with evacuations, both to Nassau and to the US mainland. Evacuees began flowing out of the region as a cruise ship carrying 1,400 people docked Saturday in Riviera Beach, Florida, CNN reported. All had documents to enter the United States. The Coast Guard said that all Bahamian ports had now reopened and that it had deployed nine cutters to the islands. Six of its MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters had so far rescued 290 people. And more than 260 Abacos residents arrived Friday in Nassau on a government-chartered ferry, part of the first wave of people to be evacuated off the archipelago's most decimated islands. Thousands of miles (kilometers) north, Dorian, now classified as a post-tropical cyclone, was "wreaking havoc over the Canadian Maritimes," the US-based National Hurricane Center said. More than 500,000 power outages were reported according to the Canadian Hurricane Centre, which said the problem extended across the Maritimes, a three-province region in east Canada comprising Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Dorian made landfall earlier in the day south of the port city of Halifax, home to Canada's Atlantic fleet. "We're talking about a very dangerous storm," Bob Robichaud of the Canadian Hurricane Centre told a briefing. Television images showed a downpour and howling winds in the empty streets of downtown Halifax where a crane collapsed onto a semi-constructed building and a roof was torn off another apartment. No significant injuries or fatalities had been reported according to Halifax Regional Police late Saturday, The Toronto Star said. Police had evacuated 150 people from downtown Halifax, including residents of the apartment building, they said. Catastrophic and devastating Bahamas residents said conditions on the devastated islands were brutal and that the smell of unrecovered bodies, along with mounting piles of garbage, was oppressive and unsanitaryHundreds or even thousands of people were still missing, officials said, as search-and-rescue teams continued their grim retrievals. Meanwhile, Minnis said Nassau "cannot possibly accommodate" all the Abaco victims. For now, he said, supplies of food and water were adequate, although several witnesses from Abaco contested that. While the prime minister called the loss of life "catastrophic and devastating," Health Minister Duane Sands said the final death toll "will be staggering." UN relief officials said more than 70,000 people on Grand Bahama and Abaco were in need of assistance. The WFP was sending food and supplies. A UN World Food Program team estimated that 90 per cent of buildings in Marsh Harbour were damaged. The US Coast Guard, Britain's Royal Navy and private organizations have been helping evacuate island residents to Nassau, hampered by damaged piers and airport runways. Chamika Durosier was waiting on Saturday at the Abaco airport. The island, she said, was unsafe. "The home that we were in fell on us," she said. "We had to crawl -- got out crawling. By the grace of God, we are alive."She described the increasingly desperate plight of those left behind. "People have no food. People have no water, and it's not right. They should have been gone. "Dead bodies are still around and it's not sanitary." Stay safe and listen Dorian, a monstrous Category 5 hurricane when it raked through the Bahamas, was buffeting eastern Canada with winds equivalent to those of a Category 1 hurricane. Although it packed hurricane-force maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour (150 kilometres per hour), these were occurring primarily over water, the US-based National Hurricane Center reported in its 11:00 pm (0300 GMT) advisory. Storm surges were causing widespread flooding and three to five inches (7.5 to 12.5 centimetres) of rain were expected in Nova Scotia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was briefed on the storm."The safety of Canadians is our number one priority and we're ready to help Atlantic Canada through this storm," he said on Twitter. Canada was sending up to 700 troops to Atlantic provinces to assist "with the restoration of power services, clearing main roadways and evacuating residents in flooded or severely damaged areas," Goodale said in a statement. Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan assured Canadians on Twitter that "our Armed Forces will be there to aid you in this challenging time. Stay safe and listen to your local first responders." Dorian was expected to "drop below hurricane strength on Sunday" and move "near or over" western Newfoundland then enter the North Atlantic later in the day, the NHC said. Earlier, Dorian brought flooding and power outages but no major damage to the coastal Carolinas and Virginia in the United States.

Amid fears of higher Dorian death toll, islanders vie to leave

Charities, government agencies and even cruise ships loaded with supplies and volunteers rushed emergency aid to the storm-ravaged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-kills-five-in-bahamas-us-evacuates-coast-247227">Bahamas</a> on Saturday amid fears of a "staggering" death toll left in the wake of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-skirts-us-carolinas-coast-with-high-winds-and-rain-248039">Hurricane Dorian</a>.

Bahama leaders believe hundreds and perhaps thousands remained missing in the archipelago nation of about 400,000 people, even as the official death toll rose only to 43 as of late on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-continues-to-defend-incorrect-map-of-hurricane-dorian-path-247743">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>'s&nbsp;administration requested airlift and logistical support from the Defense Department on Friday to support relief efforts for the Bahamas, the Miami Herald and other media reported.

The US&nbsp;Coast Guard and other agencies have already provided help with US Northern Command chief General Terrance O'Shaughnessy arriving in Nassau on Friday to assess the needs.

"We'll continue to beef up, we'll continue to collaborate with the government of the Bahamas," he told news reporters.

Hurricane Dorian, the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas, parked itself over part of the archipelago for almost two days earlier this week, pummeling it with Category 5 winds, with some gusts topping 200 mph.

The most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas levelled some neighbourhoods, swallowed others with storm surges and caused what one official described as a "staggering" number of deaths.

Dorian also devastated parts of the Outer Banks Islands in North Carolina, on Friday and it continued to push northward along the US&nbsp;Atlantic coast early on Saturday.

It brought tropical-storm-force winds to southeastern Massachusetts and Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard on Saturday morning, according to an advisory from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

"Dorian's rain is just grazing New England," said Alex Lamers, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.

It is expected to make landfall in Canada's Nova Scotia province on Saturday night with winds of about 90 mph (150 kph) and leave up to 7 inches of rain before pushing further east as a weakened post-tropical storm by Sunday, the NHC said.

The Bahamas hade only a slight, 10 per cent, chance of rain Saturday that was not expected to hamper relief efforts as Bahamas Health Minister Duane Sands spoke of "a tremendous loss of life."

'Staggering number of dead feared'

The medical chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau said two refrigerated, 40-foot trucks would be needed to hold the "staggering" number of bodies likely to be found.

"We've ordered lots of body bags," said Dr Caroline Burnett-Garraway.

The United Nations estimated 70,000 people were in "immediate need of life-saving assistance" such as food, water and shelter. The UN&nbsp;World Food Programme was airlifting storage units, generators, prefab offices, and satellite equipment as well as 8 metric tonnes of ready-to-eat meals.

The American Red Cross said it had committed an initial $2 million help the Bahamas recover from the hurricane, with food, water and shelter and other necessities.

"Our relief operation is growing, but we are also facing serious challenges in terms of delivering aid," Red Cross spokeswoman Jennifer Eli said. "Even search-and-rescue choppers haven't been able to reach some people because there's no place to land. These challenges are affecting everyone."

Near an area called The Mudd in Marsh Harbour, a commercial hub, a Reuters witness reported most houses levelled, the body of a man lying near the main street and dead dogs floating in the water. Some residents were leaving the area with meagre possessions, while others were determined to remain.

The US Coast Guard has rescued 295 people since Dorian began, the US Embassy in Nassau tweeted.

Relief groups were focusing on getting doctors, nurses and medical supplies into the hardest-hit areas and helping survivors get food and safe drinking water.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. committed $1 million for hurricane relief and its ship Norwegian Breakaway left Miami on Thursday with supplies donated by the company and its employees, in addition to items collected by the City of Miami and various charities.

Celebrity chef José Andrés and members of his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, we're on the ground in the Bahamas to aid hurricane survivors by preparing thousands of meals.

The risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea and waterborne diseases is high as drinking water may be tainted with sewage, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which described the situation for some people on Abaco island as "desperate."

Claudin Lauriston, 39, a Haitian carpenter, said he and his three young children were among the "lucky ones" to get on a plane out of Abaco. He said he had no documents with him but would try to get a job to support his family.

"There are too many dead bodies there. The government needs to remove everyone from the island, the smell is everywhere, it's in the water."

Charities, government agencies and even cruise ships loaded with supplies and volunteers rushed emergency aid to the storm-ravaged Bahamas on Saturday amid fears of a "staggering" death toll left in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.

Charities, government agencies and even cruise ships loaded with supplies and volunteers rushed emergency aid to the storm-ravaged Bahamas on Saturday amid fears of a "staggering" death toll left in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Bahama leaders believe hundreds and perhaps thousands remained missing in the archipelago nation of about 400,000 people, even as the official death toll rose only to 43 as of late on Friday. US President Donald Trump's administration requested airlift and logistical support from the Defense Department on Friday to support relief efforts for the Bahamas, the Miami Herald and other media reported. The US Coast Guard and other agencies have already provided help with US Northern Command chief General Terrance O'Shaughnessy arriving in Nassau on Friday to assess the needs. "We'll continue to beef up, we'll continue to collaborate with the government of the Bahamas," he told news reporters. Hurricane Dorian, the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas, parked itself over part of the archipelago for almost two days earlier this week, pummeling it with Category 5 winds, with some gusts topping 200 mph. The most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas levelled some neighbourhoods, swallowed others with storm surges and caused what one official described as a "staggering" number of deaths. Dorian also devastated parts of the Outer Banks Islands in North Carolina, on Friday and it continued to push northward along the US Atlantic coast early on Saturday. It brought tropical-storm-force winds to southeastern Massachusetts and Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard on Saturday morning, according to an advisory from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. "Dorian's rain is just grazing New England," said Alex Lamers, a forecaster with the National Weather Service. It is expected to make landfall in Canada's Nova Scotia province on Saturday night with winds of about 90 mph (150 kph) and leave up to 7 inches of rain before pushing further east as a weakened post-tropical storm by Sunday, the NHC said. The Bahamas hade only a slight, 10 per cent, chance of rain Saturday that was not expected to hamper relief efforts as Bahamas Health Minister Duane Sands spoke of "a tremendous loss of life." 'Staggering number of dead feared' The medical chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau said two refrigerated, 40-foot trucks would be needed to hold the "staggering" number of bodies likely to be found. "We've ordered lots of body bags," said Dr Caroline Burnett-Garraway. The United Nations estimated 70,000 people were in "immediate need of life-saving assistance" such as food, water and shelter. The UN World Food Programme was airlifting storage units, generators, prefab offices, and satellite equipment as well as 8 metric tonnes of ready-to-eat meals. The American Red Cross said it had committed an initial $2 million help the Bahamas recover from the hurricane, with food, water and shelter and other necessities. "Our relief operation is growing, but we are also facing serious challenges in terms of delivering aid," Red Cross spokeswoman Jennifer Eli said. "Even search-and-rescue choppers haven't been able to reach some people because there's no place to land. These challenges are affecting everyone." Near an area called The Mudd in Marsh Harbour, a commercial hub, a Reuters witness reported most houses levelled, the body of a man lying near the main street and dead dogs floating in the water. Some residents were leaving the area with meagre possessions, while others were determined to remain. The US Coast Guard has rescued 295 people since Dorian began, the US Embassy in Nassau tweeted. Relief groups were focusing on getting doctors, nurses and medical supplies into the hardest-hit areas and helping survivors get food and safe drinking water. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. committed $1 million for hurricane relief and its ship Norwegian Breakaway left Miami on Thursday with supplies donated by the company and its employees, in addition to items collected by the City of Miami and various charities. Celebrity chef José Andrés and members of his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, we're on the ground in the Bahamas to aid hurricane survivors by preparing thousands of meals. The risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea and waterborne diseases is high as drinking water may be tainted with sewage, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which described the situation for some people on Abaco island as "desperate." Claudin Lauriston, 39, a Haitian carpenter, said he and his three young children were among the "lucky ones" to get on a plane out of Abaco. He said he had no documents with him but would try to get a job to support his family. "There are too many dead bodies there. The government needs to remove everyone from the island, the smell is everywhere, it's in the water."

Relief efforts ramp up amid fear of 'staggering' death toll in storm ravaged Bahamas

Hundreds of people fled the Bahamas island of Great Abaco by boat on Friday and thousands more tried to get on a cruise ship leaving neighbouring Grand Bahama to escape the catastrophic aftermath of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-skirts-us-carolinas-coast-with-high-winds-and-rain-248039">Hurricane Dorian</a>.

The most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas swept through the islands earlier this week, levelling entire neighbourhoods and knocking out key infrastructure, including airport landing strips and a hospital.

Hundreds, if not thousands, are still missing in the country of about 400,000 people, and officials say the death toll, which stands at 30, is likely to soar as more bodies are discovered in the ruins and floodwaters left behind by the storm.

In Freeport, witnesses said thousands crowded the port to try to get on a Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line ship offering free passage to Florida to those with necessary US immigration documentation.

"People are desperate to leave, many homes simply gone," tweeted chef Jose Andres, whose World Central Kitchen relief organization landed in Freeport on Friday and began serving thousands of hot meals.

A boat with 250 evacuees left battered Abaco and arrived in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, which is located on New Providence island to the west and was less affected. Another with hundreds aboard was on its way, National Voice of the Bahamas radio reported, citing a spokesman for the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Approximately 200 people were also evacuated from Abaco Friday on Bahamasair flights, according to a NEMA spokesperson who declined to be named.

"Free air evacuations on Bahamasair from Abaco started (Thursday) and will continue until all Grand Bahama and Abaco residents who want to leave are off the islands," Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in a tweet.

Four survivors told Reuters on Thursday they had been charged $75 for a seat on a Bahamasair flight from Abaco to Nassau. "I thought a relief flight would be free," said Anthony Thompson, 27, who said he paid the fare for himself, his wife and his sister. "I thought wrong."

A Bahamasair official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters the airline was collecting its customers whose flights had been cancelled during the hurricane. To the extent extra seats were available, it was offering to ferry others off Abaco "at cost," the official said.

'Staggering' death toll

Bahamas Health Minister Duane Sands said there had been "a tremendous loss of life" in Abaco's main city of Marsh Harbor.

The medical chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau said two refrigerated, 40-foot trucks would be needed to hold the bodies that were expected to be found. "We've ordered lots of body bags," said Dr. Caroline Burnett-Garraway.

Those injured by the storm, which at one point was a Category 5 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of intensity, were treated for fractures, head injuries, lacerations, skin rashes and dehydration.

Near an area called The Mudd in Marsh Harbour, the commercial hub, a Reuters witness described a devastating scene, with most houses levelled, a man lying dead near the main street and dead dogs in water. Some residents were leaving the area with meagre possessions, while others were determined to remain.

The US Coast Guard, working with NEMA, has rescued 295 people since Dorian began, the US embassy in Nassau tweeted.

Relief groups are focusing on getting doctors, nurses and medical supplies into the hardest-hit areas and helping survivors get food and safe drinking water.

The British ship RFA Mounts Bay distributed shelter material, water and hygiene kits in Marsh Harbour, the UK Department for International Development said on Friday. A former British colony, the Bahamas is an independent country that remains part of the British Commonwealth.

The risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea and waterborne diseases is high because drinking water may be contaminated with sewage, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which described the situation for some people on Abaco as "desperate."

The United Nations estimated 70,000 people were in immediate need of food, water and shelter on the islands. The UN World Food Programme is airlifting storage units, generators, prefab offices, and satellite equipment as well as 8 metric tonnes of ready-to-eat meals.

Widespread looting

A Reuters witness saw widespread looting on Abaco, with people breaking into supermarkets and liquor stores.

Wendy Hawkes, whose home on Abaco was largely destroyed, described seeing neighbours standing outside their front doors with shotguns to ward off looters.

The relief effort faces formidable logistical challenges because of the widespread destruction caused by Dorian, which hovered over the Bahamas for nearly two days with torrential rains and fierce winds that whipped up 12- to 18-foot (3.7- to 5.5-meter) storm surges.

Dorian briefly made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Friday with winds of 90 miles per hour (150 kph). It was heading towards Canada where it was expected to bring hurricane-force winds to parts of Nova Scotia by Saturday evening, the US National Hurricane Center said.&nbsp;

Hundreds of people fled the Bahamas island of Great Abaco by boat on Friday and thousands more tried to get on a cruise ship leaving neighbouring Grand Bahama to escape the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

Hundreds of people fled the Bahamas island of Great Abaco by boat on Friday and thousands more tried to get on a cruise ship leaving neighbouring Grand Bahama to escape the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. The most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas swept through the islands earlier this week, levelling entire neighbourhoods and knocking out key infrastructure, including airport landing strips and a hospital. Hundreds, if not thousands, are still missing in the country of about 400,000 people, and officials say the death toll, which stands at 30, is likely to soar as more bodies are discovered in the ruins and floodwaters left behind by the storm. In Freeport, witnesses said thousands crowded the port to try to get on a Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line ship offering free passage to Florida to those with necessary US immigration documentation. "People are desperate to leave, many homes simply gone," tweeted chef Jose Andres, whose World Central Kitchen relief organization landed in Freeport on Friday and began serving thousands of hot meals. A boat with 250 evacuees left battered Abaco and arrived in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, which is located on New Providence island to the west and was less affected. Another with hundreds aboard was on its way, National Voice of the Bahamas radio reported, citing a spokesman for the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Approximately 200 people were also evacuated from Abaco Friday on Bahamasair flights, according to a NEMA spokesperson who declined to be named. "Free air evacuations on Bahamasair from Abaco started (Thursday) and will continue until all Grand Bahama and Abaco residents who want to leave are off the islands," Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in a tweet. Four survivors told Reuters on Thursday they had been charged $75 for a seat on a Bahamasair flight from Abaco to Nassau. "I thought a relief flight would be free," said Anthony Thompson, 27, who said he paid the fare for himself, his wife and his sister. "I thought wrong." A Bahamasair official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters the airline was collecting its customers whose flights had been cancelled during the hurricane. To the extent extra seats were available, it was offering to ferry others off Abaco "at cost," the official said. 'Staggering' death toll Bahamas Health Minister Duane Sands said there had been "a tremendous loss of life" in Abaco's main city of Marsh Harbor. The medical chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau said two refrigerated, 40-foot trucks would be needed to hold the bodies that were expected to be found. "We've ordered lots of body bags," said Dr. Caroline Burnett-Garraway. Those injured by the storm, which at one point was a Category 5 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of intensity, were treated for fractures, head injuries, lacerations, skin rashes and dehydration. Near an area called The Mudd in Marsh Harbour, the commercial hub, a Reuters witness described a devastating scene, with most houses levelled, a man lying dead near the main street and dead dogs in water. Some residents were leaving the area with meagre possessions, while others were determined to remain. The US Coast Guard, working with NEMA, has rescued 295 people since Dorian began, the US embassy in Nassau tweeted. Relief groups are focusing on getting doctors, nurses and medical supplies into the hardest-hit areas and helping survivors get food and safe drinking water. The British ship RFA Mounts Bay distributed shelter material, water and hygiene kits in Marsh Harbour, the UK Department for International Development said on Friday. A former British colony, the Bahamas is an independent country that remains part of the British Commonwealth. The risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea and waterborne diseases is high because drinking water may be contaminated with sewage, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which described the situation for some people on Abaco as "desperate." The United Nations estimated 70,000 people were in immediate need of food, water and shelter on the islands. The UN World Food Programme is airlifting storage units, generators, prefab offices, and satellite equipment as well as 8 metric tonnes of ready-to-eat meals. Widespread looting A Reuters witness saw widespread looting on Abaco, with people breaking into supermarkets and liquor stores. Wendy Hawkes, whose home on Abaco was largely destroyed, described seeing neighbours standing outside their front doors with shotguns to ward off looters. The relief effort faces formidable logistical challenges because of the widespread destruction caused by Dorian, which hovered over the Bahamas for nearly two days with torrential rains and fierce winds that whipped up 12- to 18-foot (3.7- to 5.5-meter) storm surges. Dorian briefly made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Friday with winds of 90 miles per hour (150 kph). It was heading towards Canada where it was expected to bring hurricane-force winds to parts of Nova Scotia by Saturday evening, the US National Hurricane Center said.

Thousands try to flee hurricane-devastated Bahamas islands

Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc in the Bahamas prior to the U.S, death toll reaches up to 30. Watch this video to know more.

Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc in Bahamas prior to U.S, death toll reaches up to 30

Category 5 winds of up to 185mph obliterated entire neighbourhoods and triggered a humanitarian crisis.

Hurricane Dorain lashes US coast, left 200,000 without power

Hurricane Dorian left stretches of the Bahamas looking as if they had been carpet-bombed, and was r<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-at-least-20-dead-in-bahamas-un-says-70000-in-need-of-immediate-aid-247657">egaining strength as it ground up the US Atlantic coast</a>, possibly making landfall later on Thursday in South Carolina.

The United Nations said 70,000 people in the Bahamas needed immediate humanitarian relief after the most damaging storm ever to hit the island nation.

Aerial video of the worst-hit Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas showed widespread devastation, with the harbour, shops and workplaces, a hospital, and airport landing strips damaged or blown to pieces, all of which was frustrating rescue efforts.

One of the most powerful Caribbean storms on record, the Category 5 hurricane killed at least 20 people in the Bahamas. Authorities expected that number to rise, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told a news conference, as retreating floodwaters reveal the scope of the destruction.

With many telephones down, residents posted lists of missing loved ones on social media. One Facebook post by media outlet Our News Bahamas had 2,000 comments, mainly listing lost family.

Dorian killed one person in Puerto Rico before hovering over the Bahamas for two days with torrential rains and fierce winds that whipped up 12-18 foot (3.7- to 5.5-meter) storm surges.

In the United States, South Carolina was preparing for a record storm surge, potentially reaching a height of 8 feet (2 meters) at the popular vacation destination of Myrtle Beach, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory.

About a foot of rain will drop on flood-prone Charleston, SC and many parts of the coasts of the Carolinas on Thursday and Friday, said Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.

"It's pretty substantial," he said. "It's already raining heavy in Charleston and up and down the coast," he said early Thursday.

Dorian is predicted to move near or over the coast of South Carolina later Thursday and then North Carolina overnight, forecasters said.

At 2 am EST on Thursday, Dorian was about 105 miles (170 km) south of Charleston, South Carolina, the NHC said.

It had strengthened to regain its status as a Category 3 storm late on Wednesday with winds of 115 mph (185 kph), after passing over warm waters which drive hurricane intensity, the NHC said.

The NHC issued a storm surge warning that covered the whole length of the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, extending to Hampton Roads in southern Virginia.

More than 2.2 million people in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have been ordered to evacuate, although Florida has avoided a direct hit.

Bahamas battered

An international relief effort was underway for the Bahamas, with a British Royal Navy vessel providing assistance and Jamaica sending a 150-member military contingent to help secure Abaco and Grand Bahama, officials said.

Volunteers also ferried supplies to the islands in a flotilla of small boats.

"Let us give of our best in this moment of historic tragedy," Minnis said.

He also encouraged international tourists to visit the Bahamas, which relies heavily on its hospitality industry.

As many as 13,000 homes in the Bahamas may have been destroyed or severely damaged, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said.

The State Department said it did not believe any US citizens who were in the Bahamas during the storm were killed.

President Donald Trump said the United States was sending supplies to the islands, including materials that had been originally intended for any Dorian victims in Florida.

Hurricane Dorian left stretches of the Bahamas looking as if they had been carpet-bombed, and was regaining strength as it ground up the US Atlantic coast, possibly making landfall later on Thursday in South Carolina.

Hurricane Dorian left stretches of the Bahamas looking as if they had been carpet-bombed, and was regaining strength as it ground up the US Atlantic coast, possibly making landfall later on Thursday in South Carolina. The United Nations said 70,000 people in the Bahamas needed immediate humanitarian relief after the most damaging storm ever to hit the island nation. Aerial video of the worst-hit Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas showed widespread devastation, with the harbour, shops and workplaces, a hospital, and airport landing strips damaged or blown to pieces, all of which was frustrating rescue efforts. One of the most powerful Caribbean storms on record, the Category 5 hurricane killed at least 20 people in the Bahamas. Authorities expected that number to rise, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told a news conference, as retreating floodwaters reveal the scope of the destruction. With many telephones down, residents posted lists of missing loved ones on social media. One Facebook post by media outlet Our News Bahamas had 2,000 comments, mainly listing lost family. Dorian killed one person in Puerto Rico before hovering over the Bahamas for two days with torrential rains and fierce winds that whipped up 12-18 foot (3.7- to 5.5-meter) storm surges. In the United States, South Carolina was preparing for a record storm surge, potentially reaching a height of 8 feet (2 meters) at the popular vacation destination of Myrtle Beach, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory. About a foot of rain will drop on flood-prone Charleston, SC and many parts of the coasts of the Carolinas on Thursday and Friday, said Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland. "It's pretty substantial," he said. "It's already raining heavy in Charleston and up and down the coast," he said early Thursday. Dorian is predicted to move near or over the coast of South Carolina later Thursday and then North Carolina overnight, forecasters said. At 2 am EST on Thursday, Dorian was about 105 miles (170 km) south of Charleston, South Carolina, the NHC said. It had strengthened to regain its status as a Category 3 storm late on Wednesday with winds of 115 mph (185 kph), after passing over warm waters which drive hurricane intensity, the NHC said. The NHC issued a storm surge warning that covered the whole length of the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, extending to Hampton Roads in southern Virginia. More than 2.2 million people in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have been ordered to evacuate, although Florida has avoided a direct hit. Bahamas battered An international relief effort was underway for the Bahamas, with a British Royal Navy vessel providing assistance and Jamaica sending a 150-member military contingent to help secure Abaco and Grand Bahama, officials said. Volunteers also ferried supplies to the islands in a flotilla of small boats. "Let us give of our best in this moment of historic tragedy," Minnis said. He also encouraged international tourists to visit the Bahamas, which relies heavily on its hospitality industry. As many as 13,000 homes in the Bahamas may have been destroyed or severely damaged, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said. The State Department said it did not believe any US citizens who were in the Bahamas during the storm were killed. President Donald Trump said the United States was sending supplies to the islands, including materials that had been originally intended for any Dorian victims in Florida.

Leaving Bahamas devastated, Dorian regains strength as it crawls up US coast

Hurricane Dorian smashed parts of the tourism-dependent Bahamas to ruins, leaving relief officials scrambling on Tuesday to battle an unfolding humanitarian crisis as the scale of the catastrophe begins to emerge. According to the reports, at least 7 people died in the Bahamas.

Hurricane Dorian kills at least 7 in the Bahamas

Weakening slightly but still packing a powerful punch,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/as-hurricane-dorian-approaches-quick-look-at-floridas-deadliest-and-destructive-hurricanes-246886"> Hurricane Dorian </a>churned along the southeastern coast of the United States on Tuesday as the storm's death toll in the Bahamas rose to seven.

Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis termed Dorian "one of the greatest national crises in our country's history," announcing the updated toll and saying that it would likely rise further.

"We can expect more deaths to be recorded -- this is just preliminary information," Minnis told journalists.

As the storm moved away from the Bahamas, more accounts of the suffering it inflicted began to emerge.

Water "came over the roof. I would imagine 21 feet (six meters) at least. We were doing all right until the water kept coming up and all the appliances were going around the house like a washing machine," crab fisherman Howard Armstrong told CNN.

"My poor little 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," said Armstrong, who eventually made it to his boat.

Aerial footage of Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas broadcast by CNN showed scenes of catastrophic damage, with hundreds of homes missing roofs, overturned cars, widespread flooding and debris strewn all over.

"Parts of Abaco are decimated. There's severe flooding, there's severe damage to homes, businesses, other buildings and infrastructure," said Minnis.

Bahamas residents "endured hours and days of horror, fearing for their lives and the lives of their loved ones," he said.

The runways at Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport, the island's largest city, were under water, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

'Devastated'

The online Bahamas Press published video of flooding in the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport and said patients had been forced to evacuate the facility.

The US Coast Guard sent MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters to Andros Island in the southern Bahamas to help with search and rescue operations as residents trapped in their homes by floodwaters issued distress calls.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the core of the storm "is moving nearly parallel to, but offshore of, the east coast of central Florida," while President Donald Trump warned people against complacency.

"The US&nbsp;may be getting a little bit lucky with respect to Hurricane Dorian, but please don't let down your guard. As it heads up the coast, lots of very bad and unpredictable things can happen!" he tweeted.

"On the other hand, the Bahamas have been devastated," he wrote.

"I am getting the North Carolina Emergency Declaration completed and signed tonight. Hope you won't need it!" he tweeted later.

Dorian, which has dumped as much as 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain on the Bahamas, was downgraded Tuesday morning to a Category 2 hurricane on the five-level wind scale.

But it is "expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few of days," the NHC said.

A state of emergency has been declared up and down the east coast for millions of US residents potentially in the path of the storm.

The Pentagon said 5,000 members of the National Guard and 2,700 active-duty troops were ready to help out if needed.

'Some have lost everything'

At 9:00 pm (0100 GMT), Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 110 miles (175 kilometers) per hour, the NHC said.

It reported that Dorian was expected to turn toward the north on Wednesday evening.

This will be "followed by a turn toward the north-northeast Thursday morning. On this track, the core of Hurricane Dorian will move dangerously close to the Florida east coast and the Georgia coast tonight through Wednesday night," it said.

"The center of Dorian is forecast to move near or over the coast of South Carolina and North Carolina Thursday through Friday morning," the NHC added.

Yasmin Rigby, a resident of Freeport in the Bahamas, told AFP that "most of the island is still flooded" and it was "still raining with gusty winds."

"I am still getting calls from people calling for help," Rigby said. "I cannot move from my apartment. Thankfully we have sufficient supplies."

In Coconut Grove, Florida, which has a sizeable population from the Bahamas, residents were collecting supplies for hurricane victims.

"We are looking for cases of water, canned food, can openers, flashlights, baby formula, diapers, mosquito repellent, small generators," said Nathaniel Robinson, the pastor of the Greater St Paul AME Church.

Robinson said seven seaplanes were on standby to deliver the supplies "when the weather permits."

"Hopefully tomorrow," he said.

Robinson said some church members have family who were "devastated by the storm."

"Some have lost everything they own," he said. "Their homes, any forms of transportation, businesses. They have absolutely nothing."

Weakening slightly but still packing a powerful punch, Hurricane Dorian churned along the southeastern coast of the United States on Tuesday as the storm's death toll in the Bahamas rose to seven.

Weakening slightly but still packing a powerful punch, Hurricane Dorian churned along the southeastern coast of the United States on Tuesday as the storm's death toll in the Bahamas rose to seven. Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis termed Dorian "one of the greatest national crises in our country's history," announcing the updated toll and saying that it would likely rise further. "We can expect more deaths to be recorded -- this is just preliminary information," Minnis told journalists. As the storm moved away from the Bahamas, more accounts of the suffering it inflicted began to emerge. Water "came over the roof. I would imagine 21 feet (six meters) at least. We were doing all right until the water kept coming up and all the appliances were going around the house like a washing machine," crab fisherman Howard Armstrong told CNN. "My poor little 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," said Armstrong, who eventually made it to his boat. Aerial footage of Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas broadcast by CNN showed scenes of catastrophic damage, with hundreds of homes missing roofs, overturned cars, widespread flooding and debris strewn all over. "Parts of Abaco are decimated. There's severe flooding, there's severe damage to homes, businesses, other buildings and infrastructure," said Minnis. Bahamas residents "endured hours and days of horror, fearing for their lives and the lives of their loved ones," he said. The runways at Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport, the island's largest city, were under water, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. 'Devastated' The online Bahamas Press published video of flooding in the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport and said patients had been forced to evacuate the facility. The US Coast Guard sent MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters to Andros Island in the southern Bahamas to help with search and rescue operations as residents trapped in their homes by floodwaters issued distress calls. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the core of the storm "is moving nearly parallel to, but offshore of, the east coast of central Florida," while President Donald Trump warned people against complacency. "The US may be getting a little bit lucky with respect to Hurricane Dorian, but please don't let down your guard. As it heads up the coast, lots of very bad and unpredictable things can happen!" he tweeted. "On the other hand, the Bahamas have been devastated," he wrote. "I am getting the North Carolina Emergency Declaration completed and signed tonight. Hope you won't need it!" he tweeted later. Dorian, which has dumped as much as 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain on the Bahamas, was downgraded Tuesday morning to a Category 2 hurricane on the five-level wind scale. But it is "expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few of days," the NHC said. A state of emergency has been declared up and down the east coast for millions of US residents potentially in the path of the storm. The Pentagon said 5,000 members of the National Guard and 2,700 active-duty troops were ready to help out if needed. 'Some have lost everything' At 9:00 pm (0100 GMT), Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 110 miles (175 kilometers) per hour, the NHC said. It reported that Dorian was expected to turn toward the north on Wednesday evening. This will be "followed by a turn toward the north-northeast Thursday morning. On this track, the core of Hurricane Dorian will move dangerously close to the Florida east coast and the Georgia coast tonight through Wednesday night," it said. "The center of Dorian is forecast to move near or over the coast of South Carolina and North Carolina Thursday through Friday morning," the NHC added. Yasmin Rigby, a resident of Freeport in the Bahamas, told AFP that "most of the island is still flooded" and it was "still raining with gusty winds." "I am still getting calls from people calling for help," Rigby said. "I cannot move from my apartment. Thankfully we have sufficient supplies." In Coconut Grove, Florida, which has a sizeable population from the Bahamas, residents were collecting supplies for hurricane victims. "We are looking for cases of water, canned food, can openers, flashlights, baby formula, diapers, mosquito repellent, small generators," said Nathaniel Robinson, the pastor of the Greater St Paul AME Church. Robinson said seven seaplanes were on standby to deliver the supplies "when the weather permits." "Hopefully tomorrow," he said. Robinson said some church members have family who were "devastated by the storm." "Some have lost everything they own," he said. "Their homes, any forms of transportation, businesses. They have absolutely nothing."

Bahamas toll rises to seven as Hurricane Dorian crawls along US coast

At least five people have died because of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said, as the massive storm pounded the Caribbean nation on Monday (September 2), peeling off roofs, snapping power lines and inundating homes with floodwater ahead of its expected advance on the U.S. coast.

Hurricane Dorian kills at least 5 people in the Bahamas

The slow-moving hurricane Dorian, one of the most powerful<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-weakens-to-category-3-bahamas-pm-says-its-a-historic-tragedy-247285"> Atlantic hurricanes on record</a>, pounded Grand Bahama Island on Tuesday and was forecast to come "dangerously close" to Florida's coast by the day's end.

Dorian has been pounding the Bahamas for days, killing at least five people in the Abaco Islands in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-kills-five-in-bahamas-us-evacuates-coast-247227">northern Bahamas</a> and inundating homes with floodwater ahead of its expected advance on the US&nbsp;coast, where more than a million people have been ordered evacuated.

But the hurricane weakened to a Category 3 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale early on Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (195 kph), the US&nbsp;National Hurricane Center said. It was moving northwest at 1 mile per hour (1.6 kph), well below walking speed.

The exact toll of the devastation in the Bahamas will not be clear until the storm passes and rescue crews can get on the ground.

"We are in the midst of a historic tragedy in parts of our northern Bahamas," Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told a news conference on Monday. "Our mission and focus now is search, rescue and recovery."

He added that the US&nbsp;Coast Guard was on the ground in Abaco and had rescued a number of injured individuals. Critically injured people were being taken to hospitals on New Providence, the country's most populous island.

As many as 13,000 homes in the Bahamas may have been destroyed or severely damaged, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said.

Houses in a neighbourhood in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island were engulfed by 6 feet (1.8 m) of water. "It looks like they're boats on top of the water," said Rosa Knowles-Bain, 61, a resident who fled two days ago to an emergency shelter.

Dorian was expected to churn towards Florida by the day's end, before bringing its powerful winds and dangerous surf along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina by late Thursday.

Forecasters have told Floridians not to become complacent, as the storm is now predicted to stay off the coast.

"It's not that far off shore," said Robbie Berg, a forecaster and hurricane specialist with the NHC.

"All it has to do is jog a little bit west and you have a full-on hurricane rolling through Florida," he said. "No one is out of the woods."

Nine counties in Florida have issued mandatory evacuations. They included parts of Duval County, home to Jacksonville, one of Florida's two biggest cities, and some areas in Palm Beach County, home to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged coastal residents to heed evacuation orders.

Among those being evacuated was Sue Watson, a 93-year-old resident of a retirement community in Kissimmee in central Florida.

"I was all set to stay home until they had to turn the water off," said Watson, who added she was not worried for her personal safety but hoped the storm spared the retirement community.

The storm was causing havoc for travellers on Florida's east coast, where some airports and gasoline stations were closed.

Orlando International Airport, one of the largest in the state, planned to cease commercial operations at 2 am&nbsp;on Tuesday because of the storm, it said in a statement.

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando will close early on Tuesday, it said in a statement.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered mandatory evacuations for parts of eight coastal counties effective at noon on Monday. More than 830,000 people were under evacuation orders in Charleston and other coastal communities in the state, emergency management officials announced.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered evacuations in six coastal counties, including all of Savannah's 150,000 residents, also effective at noon on Monday, Kemp's office said on Twitter.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in his state on Monday, his office said, anticipating the southeast coast could be hit by the storm on Thursday.

Dorian was tied with Gilbert (1988), Wilma (2005) and the 1935 Labor Day hurricane for the second-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, based on maximum sustained winds. Allen in 1980 was the most powerful, with 190-mile (306-kph) winds, the NHC said.

The slow-moving hurricane Dorian, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, pounded Grand Bahama Island on Tuesday and was forecast to come "dangerously close" to Florida's coast by the day's end.

The slow-moving hurricane Dorian, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, pounded Grand Bahama Island on Tuesday and was forecast to come "dangerously close" to Florida's coast by the day's end. Dorian has been pounding the Bahamas for days, killing at least five people in the Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas and inundating homes with floodwater ahead of its expected advance on the US coast, where more than a million people have been ordered evacuated. But the hurricane weakened to a Category 3 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale early on Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (195 kph), the US National Hurricane Center said. It was moving northwest at 1 mile per hour (1.6 kph), well below walking speed. The exact toll of the devastation in the Bahamas will not be clear until the storm passes and rescue crews can get on the ground. "We are in the midst of a historic tragedy in parts of our northern Bahamas," Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told a news conference on Monday. "Our mission and focus now is search, rescue and recovery." He added that the US Coast Guard was on the ground in Abaco and had rescued a number of injured individuals. Critically injured people were being taken to hospitals on New Providence, the country's most populous island. As many as 13,000 homes in the Bahamas may have been destroyed or severely damaged, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said. Houses in a neighbourhood in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island were engulfed by 6 feet (1.8 m) of water. "It looks like they're boats on top of the water," said Rosa Knowles-Bain, 61, a resident who fled two days ago to an emergency shelter. Dorian was expected to churn towards Florida by the day's end, before bringing its powerful winds and dangerous surf along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina by late Thursday. Forecasters have told Floridians not to become complacent, as the storm is now predicted to stay off the coast. "It's not that far off shore," said Robbie Berg, a forecaster and hurricane specialist with the NHC. "All it has to do is jog a little bit west and you have a full-on hurricane rolling through Florida," he said. "No one is out of the woods." Nine counties in Florida have issued mandatory evacuations. They included parts of Duval County, home to Jacksonville, one of Florida's two biggest cities, and some areas in Palm Beach County, home to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged coastal residents to heed evacuation orders. Among those being evacuated was Sue Watson, a 93-year-old resident of a retirement community in Kissimmee in central Florida. "I was all set to stay home until they had to turn the water off," said Watson, who added she was not worried for her personal safety but hoped the storm spared the retirement community. The storm was causing havoc for travellers on Florida's east coast, where some airports and gasoline stations were closed. Orlando International Airport, one of the largest in the state, planned to cease commercial operations at 2 am on Tuesday because of the storm, it said in a statement. Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando will close early on Tuesday, it said in a statement. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered mandatory evacuations for parts of eight coastal counties effective at noon on Monday. More than 830,000 people were under evacuation orders in Charleston and other coastal communities in the state, emergency management officials announced. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered evacuations in six coastal counties, including all of Savannah's 150,000 residents, also effective at noon on Monday, Kemp's office said on Twitter. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in his state on Monday, his office said, anticipating the southeast coast could be hit by the storm on Thursday. Dorian was tied with Gilbert (1988), Wilma (2005) and the 1935 Labor Day hurricane for the second-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, based on maximum sustained winds. Allen in 1980 was the most powerful, with 190-mile (306-kph) winds, the NHC said.

Hurricane Dorian pounds Bahamas, inches towards Florida coast

Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas on Monday, peeling off roofs and snapping power lines as rising floodwaters threatened to engulf houses, and forecasters said the storm would creep closer to the US coast, where more than a million people were ordered evacuated.

Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas on Monday, peeling off roofs and snapping power lines as rising floodwaters threatened to engulf houses, and forecasters said the storm would creep closer to the US coast, where more than a million people were ordered evacuated. The Bahamas Press reported on Twitter that a boy had drowned in the northern Bahamas, the first recorded fatality of Dorian. As many as 13,000 homes in the Bahamas may have been destroyed or severely damaged, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said. The storm, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, was stalled over Grand Bahama Island, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour (249 kph) and moving at 1 mph (2 kph), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory at 11 a.m. EDT (1600 GMT). Dorian was expected to pound Grand Bahama for much of the day. Strong winds and high surf were already being reported along Florida's east coast as the hurricane was about 110 miles (177 km) from West Palm Beach, the center said, adding that Dorian would come dangerously close to the state Monday night through Wednesday evening. Parts of Duval County, home to Jacksonville, one of Florida's two biggest cities, were under a mandatory evacuation. Palm Beach County, the state's third most-populated county and home to President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, was among those with partial mandatory evacuations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged coastal residents to heed evacuation orders. "Get out now while there's time and while you have fuel available," he said in a news conference from the state's emergency operations center in Tallahassee. In central Florida, Mary McNiff, 92, was waiting in a wheelchair to board a bus that would evacuate her from her retirement community in Kissimmeee. "Right now I'm feeling pretty good. Kind of anxious to get it over with," she said. There were no immediate estimates of casualties as Dorian covered the northwestern islands of Great Abaco and Grand Bahama with twisted metal and splintered wood. Dorian was downgraded to a Category 4 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale late Monday morning. But the NHC said it would remain a powerful hurricane for the next couple of days. The storm will raise water levels by as much as 18 to 23 feet (5.5 to 7 meters) above normal in areas of Grand Bahama and be accompanied by large and destructive waves, the NHC said. It warned of the risk of "extreme destruction on the island." Residents posted images online of water rising up the side of their houses. Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport was under five feet of water, according to the Bahamas Press. Unfazed Julia Eaddy, 70, in Titusville, east of Orlando, said she and her husband had ridden out several hurricanes before and were not fazed by the forecast. "I think it will be more of the same," she said. Several gasoline stations around Titusville were closed. Many grocery stores were open but boarded up. Inside, shelves emptied out fast. Farther north, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered mandatory evacuations for parts of eight coastal counties effective at noon on Monday. More than 830,000 people were under evacuation orders in Charleston and other coastal communities in South Carolina, emergency management officials announced. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered evacuations in six coastal counties, including all of Savannah's 150,000 residents, also effective at noon on Monday, Kemp's office said on Twitter. Dorian was tied with Gilbert (1988), Wilma (2005) and the 1935 Labor Day hurricane for the second-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, based on maximum sustained winds. Allen in 1980 was the most powerful, with 190 mph (306 kph) winds, the NHC said. Although Dorian is expected to weaken gradually, forecasters said it likely would remain a powerful hurricane for the next couple of days.

Slow-moving Hurricane Dorian pounds Bahamas, menaces US coast

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-to-hit-bahamas-as-devastating-hurricane-then-menace-georgia-and-carolinas-246935">Hurricane Dorian</a> blasted the northern Bahamas as a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-strengthens-to-powerful-category-5-hurricane-as-it-nears-bahamas-247011">monster Category 5 storm </a>on Sunday, pummeling the low-lying island chain with torrential rains and winds of a violence unprecedented in its history.

Packing winds of 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour), Dorian made landfall twice in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bahamas-braces-for-hurricane-dorian-florida-on-high-alert-246956">Bahamas</a>' Abaco Islands, and was tied for the second most powerful hurricane ever in the Atlantic basin, the National Weather Service said.

Footage posted on social media showed major destruction. There was no immediate word on casualties.

Parts of the Abaco Islands were reported to be under water as forecasters warned it was facing a towering 18 to 23 foot storm surge. Winds were gusting over 220 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

Video posted on the website of the Bahamian newspaper Tribune 242 showed water up to the roofs of wooden houses in what appeared to be a coastal town. Capsized boats floated in muddy brown water dotted with wooden boards, tree branches and other debris.

In other social media footage of what appears to be an inland area, cars were smashed or turned over, telephone poles and trees were snapped like twigs and debris filled the yards of severely damaged homes. AFP could not immediately confirm the authenticity of any of this footage.

Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis broke down in tears as he addressed a news conference, calling it "probably the most sad and worst day of my life," the Nassau Guardian reported.

"We're facing a hurricane... one that we've never seen in the history of the Bahamas," he said.

Footage shot in Cooper's Town, Abaco and obtained by AFP showed waves crashing violently onshore, sending up huge clouds of spray along the coastline.

Local radio reported that people were calling for help after winds blew the roof off the Island Breezes Hotel in Marsh Harbour, a commercial hub in the Abacos.

"Things are really starting to rock and roll," a post on the Facebook page of the Hope Town Bulletin in Abacos said at 10:00 am local time.&nbsp;

As of 2200 GMT, the storm was 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama and moving slowly west.

In Grand Bahama, thousands have evacuated to get out of Dorian's predicted path.

"It feels like we are standing in a line waiting for a beating," Yasmin Rigby, a resident of Freeport, the island's main city, told AFP.&nbsp;

Watch: Weather expert on Hurricane Dorian

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- Strongest storm to hit Bahamas -

The NHC said Dorian had become "the strongest hurricane in modern records for the northwestern Bahamas."

Describing "catastrophic" conditions in the Abacos Islands, it said the storm was "heading with all its fury towards Grand Bahama," where it was expected Sunday night into Monday.

NHC director Ken Graham on Facebook Live said the Bahamas would be under major hurricane conditions for a punishing 30 hours or more.

"That's major hurricane winds, that's storm surge of 10 and even 20 feet in some of those areas," he said. "That's also torrential rainfall of 15 to 20 inches, isolated 30 inches."

In Washington, US President Donald Trump met with his emergency management chiefs and declared "this looks monstrous."

"We expect that much of the eastern seaboard will be ultimately impacted and some of it very, very severely," he said.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect for parts of the Florida coast, and residents up and down the Atlantic coast braced for a brush with danger.

Florida issued its first evacuation orders in parts of Palm Beach, home of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, and Martin Counties.

'Very great danger'

Kevin McAleenan, acting homeland security secretary, said hurricane force winds could hit Florida, followed by a prolonged rain event combined with a storm surge.

"That's going to be very difficult as the storm starts to move northward, mostly like, up the coast of Florida and toward Georgia and South Carolina," he said on ABC's "This Week."

While Miami appeared likely to be largely spared, 30-year-old David Duque, picking up sandbags there on Saturday, noted that "everything could change... I know it could be a scare, but better prepare instead of doing nothing."

The Florida National Guard said roughly 2,000 service members had been mobilized, with another 2,000 poised to join them.

'Absolute monster'

Trump has declared a federal state of emergency in Florida, authorizing US assistance to supplement state and local efforts.

Following a similar state order in Florida, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday, saying, "Given the strength and unpredictability of the storm, we must prepare for every possible scenario."

Neighboring North Carolina also declared a state of emergency, and Georgia announced a state of emergency for 12 counties.

Orlando International Airport was to protectively halt commercial flights at 2:00 am (0600 GMT) Monday, and Florida's NASA Kennedy Space Center said it was moving an enormous mobile rocket launcher inside to protect it. 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Hurricane Dorian blasted the northern Bahamas as a monster Category 5 storm on Sunday, pummeling the low-lying island chain with torrential rains and winds of a violence unprecedented in its history.

Hurricane Dorian blasted the northern Bahamas as a monster Category 5 storm on Sunday, pummeling the low-lying island chain with torrential rains and winds of a violence unprecedented in its history. Packing winds of 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour), Dorian made landfall twice in the Bahamas' Abaco Islands, and was tied for the second most powerful hurricane ever in the Atlantic basin, the National Weather Service said. Footage posted on social media showed major destruction. There was no immediate word on casualties. Parts of the Abaco Islands were reported to be under water as forecasters warned it was facing a towering 18 to 23 foot storm surge. Winds were gusting over 220 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Video posted on the website of the Bahamian newspaper Tribune 242 showed water up to the roofs of wooden houses in what appeared to be a coastal town. Capsized boats floated in muddy brown water dotted with wooden boards, tree branches and other debris. In other social media footage of what appears to be an inland area, cars were smashed or turned over, telephone poles and trees were snapped like twigs and debris filled the yards of severely damaged homes. AFP could not immediately confirm the authenticity of any of this footage. Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis broke down in tears as he addressed a news conference, calling it "probably the most sad and worst day of my life," the Nassau Guardian reported. "We're facing a hurricane... one that we've never seen in the history of the Bahamas," he said. Footage shot in Cooper's Town, Abaco and obtained by AFP showed waves crashing violently onshore, sending up huge clouds of spray along the coastline. Local radio reported that people were calling for help after winds blew the roof off the Island Breezes Hotel in Marsh Harbour, a commercial hub in the Abacos. "Things are really starting to rock and roll," a post on the Facebook page of the Hope Town Bulletin in Abacos said at 10:00 am local time. As of 2200 GMT, the storm was 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama and moving slowly west. In Grand Bahama, thousands have evacuated to get out of Dorian's predicted path. "It feels like we are standing in a line waiting for a beating," Yasmin Rigby, a resident of Freeport, the island's main city, told AFP. Watch: Weather expert on Hurricane Dorian × - Strongest storm to hit Bahamas - The NHC said Dorian had become "the strongest hurricane in modern records for the northwestern Bahamas." Describing "catastrophic" conditions in the Abacos Islands, it said the storm was "heading with all its fury towards Grand Bahama," where it was expected Sunday night into Monday. NHC director Ken Graham on Facebook Live said the Bahamas would be under major hurricane conditions for a punishing 30 hours or more. "That's major hurricane winds, that's storm surge of 10 and even 20 feet in some of those areas," he said. "That's also torrential rainfall of 15 to 20 inches, isolated 30 inches." In Washington, US President Donald Trump met with his emergency management chiefs and declared "this looks monstrous." "We expect that much of the eastern seaboard will be ultimately impacted and some of it very, very severely," he said. Tropical storm warnings were in effect for parts of the Florida coast, and residents up and down the Atlantic coast braced for a brush with danger. Florida issued its first evacuation orders in parts of Palm Beach, home of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, and Martin Counties. 'Very great danger' Kevin McAleenan, acting homeland security secretary, said hurricane force winds could hit Florida, followed by a prolonged rain event combined with a storm surge. "That's going to be very difficult as the storm starts to move northward, mostly like, up the coast of Florida and toward Georgia and South Carolina," he said on ABC's "This Week." While Miami appeared likely to be largely spared, 30-year-old David Duque, picking up sandbags there on Saturday, noted that "everything could change... I know it could be a scare, but better prepare instead of doing nothing." The Florida National Guard said roughly 2,000 service members had been mobilized, with another 2,000 poised to join them. 'Absolute monster' Trump has declared a federal state of emergency in Florida, authorizing US assistance to supplement state and local efforts. Following a similar state order in Florida, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday, saying, "Given the strength and unpredictability of the storm, we must prepare for every possible scenario." Neighboring North Carolina also declared a state of emergency, and Georgia announced a state of emergency for 12 counties. Orlando International Airport was to protectively halt commercial flights at 2:00 am (0600 GMT) Monday, and Florida's NASA Kennedy Space Center said it was moving an enormous mobile rocket launcher inside to protect it.

'Catastrophic' Dorian strikes Bahamas with full fury

Dorian became the strongest storm in modern records to hit the northwestern Bahamas. International Space Station captured images of Hurricane Dorian as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean. Watch this video to know more.

Hurricane Dorian slams hard on the Bahamas, Dramatic images from Space

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-strengthens-to-powerful-category-5-hurricane-as-it-nears-bahamas-247011">Dorian strengthens to powerful category 5 hurricane as it nears Bahamas</a>

Hurricane Dorian intensified into a dangerous category 5 storm as it approached the Bahamas on Sunday, expected to pound the islands with up to two days of torrential rain, high waves and damaging winds before taking aim at the US mainland.

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Thousands of protesters blocked roads and public transport links to Hong Kong airport on Sunday in a bid to draw global attention to their fight for greater democracy for the Chinese-ruled city which is facing its biggest political crisis in decades.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-stuck-in-elevator-for-25-minutes-freed-by-fire-brigade-246992">Pope stuck in elevator for 25 minutes, freed by fire brigade</a>

Pope Francis arrived late for his weekly address in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, explaining that he had been stuck in an elevator in the Vatican for 25 minutes and had to be freed by firefighters.

Dorian strengthens to powerful category 5 hurricane as it nears Bahamas Hurricane Dorian intensified into a dangerous category 5 storm as it approached the Bahamas on Sunday, expected to pound the islands with up to two days of torrential rain, high waves and damaging winds before taking aim at the US mainland.

Dorian strengthens to powerful category 5 hurricane as it nears Bahamas Hurricane Dorian intensified into a dangerous category 5 storm as it approached the Bahamas on Sunday, expected to pound the islands with up to two days of torrential rain, high waves and damaging winds before taking aim at the US mainland. Hong Kong protesters target airport but planes are running Thousands of protesters blocked roads and public transport links to Hong Kong airport on Sunday in a bid to draw global attention to their fight for greater democracy for the Chinese-ruled city which is facing its biggest political crisis in decades. Maldives meet on development goals descends into chaos as Pakistan raises Kashmir, India hits back A major argument broke between India and Pakistan delegates inside the Maldives Parliament on Sunday after Pakistani delegates raised Kashmir on a forum meant for sustainable development goal even as hapless speaker of Maldivian Parliament Mohamed Nasheed tried to control the situation in vain. Saudi-led coalition says it bombed Houthi arms site in Yemen, group says prison hit A Saudi-led military coalition said on Sunday it had launched airstrikes on Houthi military targets in southwest Yemen that Houthi-run media said had hit a prison, killing dozens of people. Pope stuck in elevator for 25 minutes, freed by fire brigade Pope Francis arrived late for his weekly address in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, explaining that he had been stuck in an elevator in the Vatican for 25 minutes and had to be freed by firefighters.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Hurricane Dorian took aim at the Bahamas and the Florida coast on Thursday, spurred on by warm Atlantic waters as it threatens to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm.

Dorian earlier sideswiped the Caribbean without doing major damage but is expected to strengthen and slam the Bahamas and the southeastern United States with rain, strong winds and life-threatening surf over the next few days, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said in an advisory.

US President Donald Trump urged Floridians to heed official warnings. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and asked residents along the state's east coast to stock up with at least seven days worth of supplies such as food and water.

"Hurricane Dorian looks like it will be hitting Florida late Sunday night," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Be prepared and please follow State and Federal instructions, it will be a very big Hurricane, perhaps one of the biggest!"

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Hurricane Dorian looks like it will be hitting Florida late Sunday night. Be prepared and please follow State and Federal instructions, it will be a very big Hurricane, perhaps one of the biggest!
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The US&nbsp;Coast Guard on Wednesday said that all pleasure boats at the Port of Key West should seek safe harbour before the Labor Day weekend begins and ocean-going vessels should make plans to leave the port ahead of the storm.

Dorian, currently a Category 1 storm, is expected to grow into a Category 3 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of intensity, with winds greater than 111 mph (178 km/h) by the time it makes landfall, most likely on Florida's eastern coast on Monday, before lingering over central Florida on Tuesday, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said.

Early on Thursday, the hurricane centre said Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (137 km per hour) some 150 miles (240 km) north-northwest of San Juan, and about 425 miles (685 km) east-southeast of the southeastern Bahamas.

"On this track, Dorian should move over the Atlantic well east of the southeastern and central Bahamas today and on Friday," forecasters said, "and approach the northwestern Bahamas on Saturday."

Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane by Friday afternoon and continue to gain strength until it makes landfall.

Trump issued an emergency declaration on Wednesday night for the US&nbsp;Virgin Islands, ordering federal assistance with disaster relief for the US&nbsp;territory. On Tuesday, he made a similar declaration for Puerto Rico, and also renewed a feud with island officials over how disaster relief funds from previous hurricanes.

Puerto Rico is still struggling to recover from back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 that killed about 3,000 people soon after the island filed for bankruptcy. On Wednesday, it escaped fresh disaster as Dorian avoided the territory and headed northwest toward Florida.

Preparations were mounted in the Bahamas, which could be hard hit.

Jeffrey Simmons, the country's acting director of the Department of Meteorology, said severe weather could strike the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Friday.

Hurricane Dorian took aim at the Bahamas and the Florida coast on Thursday, spurred on by warm Atlantic waters as it threatens to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm.

Hurricane Dorian took aim at the Bahamas and the Florida coast on Thursday, spurred on by warm Atlantic waters as it threatens to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm. Dorian earlier sideswiped the Caribbean without doing major damage but is expected to strengthen and slam the Bahamas and the southeastern United States with rain, strong winds and life-threatening surf over the next few days, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said in an advisory. US President Donald Trump urged Floridians to heed official warnings. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and asked residents along the state's east coast to stock up with at least seven days worth of supplies such as food and water. "Hurricane Dorian looks like it will be hitting Florida late Sunday night," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Be prepared and please follow State and Federal instructions, it will be a very big Hurricane, perhaps one of the biggest!" Hurricane Dorian looks like it will be hitting Florida late Sunday night. Be prepared and please follow State and Federal instructions, it will be a very big Hurricane, perhaps one of the biggest! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2019 × The US Coast Guard on Wednesday said that all pleasure boats at the Port of Key West should seek safe harbour before the Labor Day weekend begins and ocean-going vessels should make plans to leave the port ahead of the storm. Dorian, currently a Category 1 storm, is expected to grow into a Category 3 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of intensity, with winds greater than 111 mph (178 km/h) by the time it makes landfall, most likely on Florida's eastern coast on Monday, before lingering over central Florida on Tuesday, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said. Early on Thursday, the hurricane centre said Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (137 km per hour) some 150 miles (240 km) north-northwest of San Juan, and about 425 miles (685 km) east-southeast of the southeastern Bahamas. "On this track, Dorian should move over the Atlantic well east of the southeastern and central Bahamas today and on Friday," forecasters said, "and approach the northwestern Bahamas on Saturday." Dorian is expected to become a major hurricane by Friday afternoon and continue to gain strength until it makes landfall. Trump issued an emergency declaration on Wednesday night for the US Virgin Islands, ordering federal assistance with disaster relief for the US territory. On Tuesday, he made a similar declaration for Puerto Rico, and also renewed a feud with island officials over how disaster relief funds from previous hurricanes. Puerto Rico is still struggling to recover from back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 that killed about 3,000 people soon after the island filed for bankruptcy. On Wednesday, it escaped fresh disaster as Dorian avoided the territory and headed northwest toward Florida. Preparations were mounted in the Bahamas, which could be hard hit. Jeffrey Simmons, the country's acting director of the Department of Meteorology, said severe weather could strike the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Friday.

Hurricane Dorian expected to strengthen into dangerous Category 3 storm

A federal judge has ordered Canada's lobbying commissioner to reconsider a probe into whether the Aga Khan broke the rules by inviting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's family to vacation on his private island at a time when his foundation was registered to lobby Trudeau's office.

Canada court orders fresh look into Justin Trudeau's visit to Aga Khan's island

At least 28 Haitians have drowned off the coast of Abaco in the Bahamas, officials said Sunday, the latest tragedy at sea for migrants seeking to leave the Caribbean's poorest economy.

"Thus far, a total of 17 persons have been rescued alive and 28 bodies have been recovered from the water" after two days of dive operations, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force said.

The incident unfolded Saturday when the ship carrying the Haitians sank near Fowl Cay, six miles off the coast of Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

Fifteen survivors and 13 dead bodies were recovered Saturday in a joint mission between the RBDF and US Coast Guard. On Sunday, two more survivors were found alive on a nearby cay in addition to 15 bodies in the sunken vessel.

In a tweet, the US embassy in Haiti described the ship as a vessel trafficking people out of Haiti, adding: "No journey is worth risking lives - please urge families and communities: Illegal migrant &amp; smuggling operations are dangerous and frequently end in tragedy."

The RBDF added that this year alone, some 300 Haitians had been apprehended for illegal entry during four separate incidents.

In a country where more than 60 per cent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day, there are frequent attempts to reach the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos illegally.

In recent years, thousands of young Haitians have migrated to Chile or Brazil, countries where visas are more easily obtained.

Although Haitians historically have gone to the United States, and to Florida in particular, the flow of migrants has shifted to Canada and other neighbouring countries.

Since a devastating earthquake in 2010, about 60,000 Haitians have found temporary protected status in the United States.

US President Donald Trump's administration announced in 2017 it was terminating the program but the decision has been challenged in several court cases.

At least 28 Haitians have drowned off the coast of Abaco in the Bahamas, officials said Sunday, the latest tragedy at sea for migrants seeking to leave the Caribbean's poorest economy.

At least 28 Haitians have drowned off the coast of Abaco in the Bahamas, officials said Sunday, the latest tragedy at sea for migrants seeking to leave the Caribbean's poorest economy. "Thus far, a total of 17 persons have been rescued alive and 28 bodies have been recovered from the water" after two days of dive operations, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force said. The incident unfolded Saturday when the ship carrying the Haitians sank near Fowl Cay, six miles off the coast of Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Fifteen survivors and 13 dead bodies were recovered Saturday in a joint mission between the RBDF and US Coast Guard. On Sunday, two more survivors were found alive on a nearby cay in addition to 15 bodies in the sunken vessel. In a tweet, the US embassy in Haiti described the ship as a vessel trafficking people out of Haiti, adding: "No journey is worth risking lives - please urge families and communities: Illegal migrant & smuggling operations are dangerous and frequently end in tragedy." The RBDF added that this year alone, some 300 Haitians had been apprehended for illegal entry during four separate incidents. In a country where more than 60 per cent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day, there are frequent attempts to reach the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos illegally. In recent years, thousands of young Haitians have migrated to Chile or Brazil, countries where visas are more easily obtained. Although Haitians historically have gone to the United States, and to Florida in particular, the flow of migrants has shifted to Canada and other neighbouring countries. Since a devastating earthquake in 2010, about 60,000 Haitians have found temporary protected status in the United States. US President Donald Trump's administration announced in 2017 it was terminating the program but the decision has been challenged in several court cases.

28 Haitians dead after ship sinks off Bahamas: Officials

The Bahamas has issued an official travel advisory warning its citizens, especially &quot;young&nbsp;males&quot;, to exercise caution while travelling in the United States of America.&nbsp; 
 
The travel advisory issued by the island&#39;s foreign affairs ministry takes note of the &quot;recent tensions in some American cities over shootings of young black males by police officers&quot;.&nbsp;The ministry urged&nbsp;its citizens to exercise caution, especially while travelling in the affected cities.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;In particular young males are asked to exercise extreme caution in affected cities in their interactions with the police. Do not be confrontational and cooperate,&quot; the advisory reads. Many Bahamians are expected to spend their independence holiday weekend in the US. 
 
The advisory also asked citizens to contact the&nbsp;country&#39;s consular offices in case of any difficult situation instead of trying to resolve it themselves. 
 
&quot;Do not get involved in political or other demonstrations under any circumstances and avoid crowds,&quot; it warned. 
 
The advisory comes in the wake of the shooting of two unarmed African-American men, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile in Minneapolis, by policemen, in circumstances that have caused an international uproar. 
 
Soon after the police shooting, an Afghanistan veteran, Micah Johnson, shot dead five caucasian police officers and wounded six other at a peaceful protest in Dallas against the killings of Sterling and Castile. Johnson reportedly said he wanted to kill &quot;white police officers&quot;. 
 
Two others shot at policemen in Tennessee and near Ballwin, Missouri, over the next 24 hours. 
 
(WION)

The travel advisory takes note of tension in US cities over the shooting of 'young black males by police officers'

The Bahamas has issued an official travel advisory warning its citizens, especially "young males", to exercise caution while travelling in the United States of America. The travel advisory issued by the island's foreign affairs ministry takes note of the "recent tensions in some American cities over shootings of young black males by police officers". The ministry urged its citizens to exercise caution, especially while travelling in the affected cities. "In particular young males are asked to exercise extreme caution in affected cities in their interactions with the police. Do not be confrontational and cooperate," the advisory reads. Many Bahamians are expected to spend their independence holiday weekend in the US. The advisory also asked citizens to contact the country's consular offices in case of any difficult situation instead of trying to resolve it themselves. "Do not get involved in political or other demonstrations under any circumstances and avoid crowds," it warned. The advisory comes in the wake of the shooting of two unarmed African-American men, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile in Minneapolis, by policemen, in circumstances that have caused an international uproar. Soon after the police shooting, an Afghanistan veteran, Micah Johnson, shot dead five caucasian police officers and wounded six other at a peaceful protest in Dallas against the killings of Sterling and Castile. Johnson reportedly said he wanted to kill "white police officers". Two others shot at policemen in Tennessee and near Ballwin, Missouri, over the next 24 hours. (WION)

Exercise caution while travelling in the US, Bahamas tells its citizens

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