The deadly hurricane has been dubbed the storm of the century. It made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm around midday Tuesday (Oct 28) with sustained winds of up to 185 mph (295 km/h).

‘Storm of the century’: Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of destruction in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti

Hurricane Erin on Saturday strengthened to a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm as it barrelled towards the Caribbean, with weather officials warning of possible flash floods and landslides. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest report the storm's maximum sustained winds had increased to 160 miles (255 kilometers) per hour by 11:20 am (1520 GMT). Erin, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season this year, was located about 105 miles (170 kilometers) northeast of Anguilla in the northern Leeward Islands, an area that includes the US and British Virgin Islands. "Erin is now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane," the NHC said. Tropical storm watches remained in effect for St Martin, St Barthelemy and Sint Maarten.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-s-future-on-the-line-zelensky-and-trump-to-meet-in-washington-on-monday-european-leaders-invited-all-you-need-to-know-1755371420179">Ukraine’s future on the line? Zelensky and Trump to meet in Washington on Monday; European leaders invited - All you need to know</a> The hurricane's center is expected to move over the weekend just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm could drench the islands with as much as six inches (15 centimeters) of rain in isolated areas, the NHC said. "Continued rapid strengthening is expected today, followed by fluctuations in intensity through the weekend," the agency said in an earlier report. It also warned of "locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides." Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend. Those swells will spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the US East Coast early next week, creating "life-threatening surf and rip currents," the NHC said. The hurricane is forecast to turn northward by late Sunday. While meteorologists have expressed confidence that Erin will remain well off the US coastline, they said the storm could still cause dangerous waves and erosion in places such as North Carolina. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June until late November, is expected to be more intense than normal, US meteorologists predict. Several powerful storms wreaked havoc in the region last year, including Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people in the southeastern United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which operates the NHC has been subject to budget cuts and layoffs as part of US President Donald Trump's plans to greatly reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy, leading to fears of lapses in storm forecasting. Climate change namely, rising sea temperatures caused by the burning of fossil fuels has increased both the possibility of the development of more intense storms, and their more rapid intensification, scientists say.

Hurricane Erin has intensified into a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm, becoming the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. The storm is currently heading towards the Caribbean, raising fears of flash floods, mudslides, and dangerous surf across several islands.

Hurricane Erin on Saturday strengthened to a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm as it barrelled towards the Caribbean, with weather officials warning of possible flash floods and landslides. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest report the storm's maximum sustained winds had increased to 160 miles (255 kilometers) per hour by 11:20 am (1520 GMT). Erin, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season this year, was located about 105 miles (170 kilometers) northeast of Anguilla in the northern Leeward Islands, an area that includes the US and British Virgin Islands. "Erin is now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane," the NHC said. Tropical storm watches remained in effect for St Martin, St Barthelemy and Sint Maarten. Also read: Ukraine’s future on the line? Zelensky and Trump to meet in Washington on Monday; European leaders invited - All you need to know The hurricane's center is expected to move over the weekend just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm could drench the islands with as much as six inches (15 centimeters) of rain in isolated areas, the NHC said. "Continued rapid strengthening is expected today, followed by fluctuations in intensity through the weekend," the agency said in an earlier report. It also warned of "locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides." Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend. Those swells will spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the US East Coast early next week, creating "life-threatening surf and rip currents," the NHC said. The hurricane is forecast to turn northward by late Sunday. While meteorologists have expressed confidence that Erin will remain well off the US coastline, they said the storm could still cause dangerous waves and erosion in places such as North Carolina. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June until late November, is expected to be more intense than normal, US meteorologists predict. Several powerful storms wreaked havoc in the region last year, including Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people in the southeastern United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which operates the NHC has been subject to budget cuts and layoffs as part of US President Donald Trump's plans to greatly reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy, leading to fears of lapses in storm forecasting. Climate change namely, rising sea temperatures caused by the burning of fossil fuels has increased both the possibility of the development of more intense storms, and their more rapid intensification, scientists say.

Hurricane Erin has intensified into a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm, becoming the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. The storm is currently heading towards the Caribbean, raising fears of flash floods, mudslides, and dangerous surf across several islands.

Erin becomes 'catastrophic' Category 5 hurricane: Here’s what we know so far

Set to make landfall in the US state of&nbsp;Florida, Hurricane Milton is expected to be one of the most catastrophic storms in the United States. This deadly storm comes just a week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the state, resulting in over 230 deaths.

Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and&nbsp;is classed as a Category 5 storm, as it gained intensity within a short span of hours. It is predicted that the storm will result in a life-threatening situation in the area in its path. Millions were ordered to evacuate the region and rushing to do so.

<h2>How are hurricanes categorised?</h2>

Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over tropical or subtropical waters. They are low-pressure systems with thunderstorm activity, which gain their intensity from warm ocean waters. They result in strong surface winds in circular motion and can bring extreme weather conditions to the nearby land.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-milton-to-hit-florida-timing-areas-at-risk-wind-speeds-and-what-to-expect-766046">Hurricane Milton to hit Florida: Timing, areas at risk, wind speeds, and what to expect</a>

Hurricanes are classified as per the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which measures a storm’s intensity based on its sustained wind speed. The scale also estimates the damage caused by hurricanes, depending on their category.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the hurricanes are categorised as follows:

Category One Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 74-95 mph (119-153 km/hr) and cause some damage. They can result in “power outages that could last a few to several days,” according to the NWS.

Category Two Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 96-110 mph (154-177 km/hr) and can cause extensive damage due to dangerous winds. These storms can result in near-total power loss.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-helene-to-milton-why-and-how-hurricanes-get-their-names-find-out-here-wion-explains-765937">Explained | Hurricane Helene to Milton: Why and how hurricanes get their names—find out here</a>

Category Three Hurricane: The wind speeds for hurricanes under this category are 111-129 mph (km/hr) and can result in devastating damage with many trees uprooted. They would also cause electricity and water outages.

Category Four Hurricane: These hurricanes can have wind speeds as high as 130-156 mph (209-251 km/hr). During these storms, “catastrophic damage will occur” with many homes sustaining severe damage, as per the NWS website. They will result in week or month-long power outages and leave the place uninhabitable for some time.

Category Five Hurricane: The last category classifies storms with winds 157 mph or higher (252 km/hr or higher). “Catastrophic damage will occur” due to these storms with a high percentage of framed homes destroyed, with roofs and walls collapsing, according to the NWS. They will also result in the area being uninhabitable for weeks or months.

(With inputs from agencies)

Set to make landfall in the US state of Florida, Hurricane Milton is expected to be one of the most catastrophic storms in the United States. This deadly storm comes just a week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the state, resulting in over 230 deaths.

Set to make landfall in the US state of Florida, Hurricane Milton is expected to be one of the most catastrophic storms in the United States. This deadly storm comes just a week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the state, resulting in over 230 deaths. Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is classed as a Category 5 storm, as it gained intensity within a short span of hours. It is predicted that the storm will result in a life-threatening situation in the area in its path. Millions were ordered to evacuate the region and rushing to do so. How are hurricanes categorised? Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over tropical or subtropical waters. They are low-pressure systems with thunderstorm activity, which gain their intensity from warm ocean waters. They result in strong surface winds in circular motion and can bring extreme weather conditions to the nearby land. Also read | Hurricane Milton to hit Florida: Timing, areas at risk, wind speeds, and what to expect Hurricanes are classified as per the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which measures a storm’s intensity based on its sustained wind speed. The scale also estimates the damage caused by hurricanes, depending on their category. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the hurricanes are categorised as follows: Category One Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 74-95 mph (119-153 km/hr) and cause some damage. They can result in “power outages that could last a few to several days,” according to the NWS. Category Two Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 96-110 mph (154-177 km/hr) and can cause extensive damage due to dangerous winds. These storms can result in near-total power loss. Also read | Explained | Hurricane Helene to Milton: Why and how hurricanes get their names—find out here Category Three Hurricane: The wind speeds for hurricanes under this category are 111-129 mph (km/hr) and can result in devastating damage with many trees uprooted. They would also cause electricity and water outages. Category Four Hurricane: These hurricanes can have wind speeds as high as 130-156 mph (209-251 km/hr). During these storms, “catastrophic damage will occur” with many homes sustaining severe damage, as per the NWS website. They will result in week or month-long power outages and leave the place uninhabitable for some time. Category Five Hurricane: The last category classifies storms with winds 157 mph or higher (252 km/hr or higher). “Catastrophic damage will occur” due to these storms with a high percentage of framed homes destroyed, with roofs and walls collapsing, according to the NWS. They will also result in the area being uninhabitable for weeks or months. (With inputs from agencies)

What category is Hurricane Milton and how are hurricanes categorised?

Citizens in the US state of Florida were warned to evacuate to safer locations due to the impending, life-threatening Hurricane Milton. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton was upgraded&nbsp;into a Category 5 storm in just over an hour on Monday (Oct 7) as the largest evacuation drive in nearly a decade&nbsp;was pushed by the state, according to a NY Post report.&nbsp;

Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s emergency management division, said residents needed to be prepared for the “largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma,” when seven million Floridians were ordered to evacuate.

Authorities urged more than 15 million Floridians to&nbsp;leave their homes in the evacuation zone and write their names and personal information on their arms in permanent marker so that their bodies can be identified in the worst-case scenario.&nbsp;

Milton had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) over the southern Gulf of Mexico. It&nbsp;could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area, and could remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean.

“It’s not uncommon to get a hurricane threat in October along the west coast of Florida, but forming all the way in the southwest Gulf and then striking Florida is a little bit more unusual,” said&nbsp;Daniel Brown, a hurricane specialist at NHC.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tropical-storm-milton-gains-hurricane-status-765161">Watch |&nbsp;Tropical Storm Milton Gains Hurricane Status</a>

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<h2>'Destruction could be compounded'</h2>

Hurricane Milton comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene which killed at least 230 people during its sojourn to the&nbsp;Appalachian Mountains through northern Florida.&nbsp;

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of a potentially higher storm surge and more power outages from Milton compared to Helene, and said destruction from Helene could be compounded.

"There are some areas with a lot of debris that is there, so if you get hit with a major hurricane, what's going to happen to that debris? It's going to increase the damage dramatically," DeSantis said.

"This is all hands on deck to get that debris where it needs to be."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/milton-strengthens-into-hurricane-florida-braces-for-impact-765047">Also read |&nbsp;Milton strengthens into hurricane, Florida braces for impact</a>

The Tampa Bay area is still recovering from the extensive damage cause by Helene. At least 12 people had perished in the area with a string of&nbsp;barrier islands that stretch from St. Petersburg to Clearwater facing the most destruction.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Citizens in the US state of Florida were warned to evacuate to safer locations due to the impending, life-threatening Hurricane Milton. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton was upgraded into a Category 5 storm in just over an hour on Monday (Oct 7) as the largest evacuation drive in nearly a decade was pushed by the state, according to a NY Post report.

Citizens in the US state of Florida were warned to evacuate to safer locations due to the impending, life-threatening Hurricane Milton. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton was upgraded into a Category 5 storm in just over an hour on Monday (Oct 7) as the largest evacuation drive in nearly a decade was pushed by the state, according to a NY Post report. Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s emergency management division, said residents needed to be prepared for the “largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma,” when seven million Floridians were ordered to evacuate. Authorities urged more than 15 million Floridians to leave their homes in the evacuation zone and write their names and personal information on their arms in permanent marker so that their bodies can be identified in the worst-case scenario. Milton had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) over the southern Gulf of Mexico. It could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area, and could remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s not uncommon to get a hurricane threat in October along the west coast of Florida, but forming all the way in the southwest Gulf and then striking Florida is a little bit more unusual,” said Daniel Brown, a hurricane specialist at NHC. Watch | Tropical Storm Milton Gains Hurricane Status × 'Destruction could be compounded' Hurricane Milton comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene which killed at least 230 people during its sojourn to the Appalachian Mountains through northern Florida. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of a potentially higher storm surge and more power outages from Milton compared to Helene, and said destruction from Helene could be compounded. "There are some areas with a lot of debris that is there, so if you get hit with a major hurricane, what's going to happen to that debris? It's going to increase the damage dramatically," DeSantis said. "This is all hands on deck to get that debris where it needs to be." Also read | Milton strengthens into hurricane, Florida braces for impact The Tampa Bay area is still recovering from the extensive damage cause by Helene. At least 12 people had perished in the area with a string of barrier islands that stretch from St. Petersburg to Clearwater facing the most destruction. (With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Milton: Largest evacuation in a decade ordered in Florida as Category 5 storm nears

Hurricane Otis hit the beach resort of Mexico's Acapulco early on Wednesday. The storm, which happens to be one of the strongest storms ever to hit Mexico's Pacific Coast, smashed buildings and vital infrastructure, leaving the city disconnected and without power. It&nbsp;claimed the lives of at least 27 people.

<h2>The destruction wrought massive destruction</h2>

In the southern state of Guerrero the category 5 storm, Otis, as per videos and photos on social media, wrought widespread destruction, wrecking hotels, ripping open walls and ceilings, shattering windows, and leaving cars partly submerged in floodwaters.

Videos from Acapulco show debris strewn around lobbies, patios, streets and hotel balconies, and remnants of mangled trees littering the city's downtown area.&nbsp;

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A más de 20 horas del impacto de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Otis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Otis</a>: 
 
-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Acapulco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Acapulco</a> sigue incomunicado 
-Aún no hay luz al 100% 
-El aeropuerto está cerrado 
-Autopista del Sol, abierta solo para vehículos oficiales 
-No hemos visto a la gobernadora 
-La alcaldesa del Puerto no ha dado la cara <a href="https://t.co/b3NZZtZ0sV">pic.twitter.com/b3NZZtZ0sV</a>
— Manuel Lopez San Martin (@MLopezSanMartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLopezSanMartin/status/1717383357233758657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Whoahhh! Jeeeze!! This video really shows how bad the situation is in Acapulco 😭💔 
 
📹 Jorge Martíne<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurricaneOtis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HurricaneOtis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurracanOtis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HurracanOtis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Otis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Otis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Acapulco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Acapulco</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mexico?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mexico</a> <a href="https://t.co/XboA3EYoCM">pic.twitter.com/XboA3EYoCM</a>
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) <a href="https://twitter.com/volcaholic1/status/1717286069924671618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/hurricane-otis-mexicos-most-powerful-storm-makes-landfall-near-acapulco-on-pacific-coast-651094">Hurricane Otis: Mexico's most powerful storm ever makes landfall near Acapulco resort</a>

Furthermore, downed telecommunication lines&nbsp;and damage to infrastructure left the city's residents disconnected from the outside world.&nbsp;

The power loss also led to the closure of the city's airport. Furthermore, as per the government, the airport suffered significant damage — with storm Otis smashing the control tower's windows.

While there were no immediate reports of fatalities, as per a Reuters report, this could be because&nbsp;power outages have made it hard for officials to assess the extent of the destruction.

Watch |&nbsp;Hurricane Otis slams Mexican coast as a category 5 storm

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Some officials have reportedly expressed concern that there would likely have been some loss of life.

<h2>President lends support</h2>

As per Reuters, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tried to reach Acapulco by car to lend his support. However, he was held up due to road closures caused by the storm.

Otis roared into the coast with winds of 165 miles per hour (266 kph), reaching the shore as a Category 5 storm - the strongest level on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. However, it quickly weakened to a Category 4 storm.

It further lost its power as it moved inland, reducing to a tropical storm and finally dissipating over southern Mexico mountains. As per Reuters, the&nbsp;main highway connecting Acapulco to Mexico City will not be fully open until Thursday. The nation has mobilised the military&nbsp;to help clear up the mess left behind by Otis.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Otis hit the beach resort of Mexico's Acapulco early on Wednesday. The storm, which happens to be one of the strongest storms ever to hit Mexico's Pacific Coast, smashed buildings and vital infrastructure, leaving the city disconnected and without power.

Hurricane Otis hit the beach resort of Mexico's Acapulco early on Wednesday. The storm, which happens to be one of the strongest storms ever to hit Mexico's Pacific Coast, smashed buildings and vital infrastructure, leaving the city disconnected and without power. It claimed the lives of at least 27 people. The destruction wrought massive destruction In the southern state of Guerrero the category 5 storm, Otis, as per videos and photos on social media, wrought widespread destruction, wrecking hotels, ripping open walls and ceilings, shattering windows, and leaving cars partly submerged in floodwaters. Videos from Acapulco show debris strewn around lobbies, patios, streets and hotel balconies, and remnants of mangled trees littering the city's downtown area. A más de 20 horas del impacto de #Otis: -#Acapulco sigue incomunicado -Aún no hay luz al 100% -El aeropuerto está cerrado -Autopista del Sol, abierta solo para vehículos oficiales -No hemos visto a la gobernadora -La alcaldesa del Puerto no ha dado la cara pic.twitter.com/b3NZZtZ0sV — Manuel Lopez San Martin (@MLopezSanMartin) October 26, 2023 × Whoahhh! Jeeeze!! This video really shows how bad the situation is in Acapulco 😭💔 📹 Jorge Martíne#HurricaneOtis #HurracanOtis #Otis #Acapulco #Mexico pic.twitter.com/XboA3EYoCM — Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) October 25, 2023 × Also read | Hurricane Otis: Mexico's most powerful storm ever makes landfall near Acapulco resort Furthermore, downed telecommunication lines and damage to infrastructure left the city's residents disconnected from the outside world. The power loss also led to the closure of the city's airport. Furthermore, as per the government, the airport suffered significant damage — with storm Otis smashing the control tower's windows. While there were no immediate reports of fatalities, as per a Reuters report, this could be because power outages have made it hard for officials to assess the extent of the destruction. Watch | Hurricane Otis slams Mexican coast as a category 5 storm Some officials have reportedly expressed concern that there would likely have been some loss of life. President lends support As per Reuters, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tried to reach Acapulco by car to lend his support. However, he was held up due to road closures caused by the storm. Otis roared into the coast with winds of 165 miles per hour (266 kph), reaching the shore as a Category 5 storm - the strongest level on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. However, it quickly weakened to a Category 4 storm. It further lost its power as it moved inland, reducing to a tropical storm and finally dissipating over southern Mexico mountains. As per Reuters, the main highway connecting Acapulco to Mexico City will not be fully open until Thursday. The nation has mobilised the military to help clear up the mess left behind by Otis. (With inputs from agencies)

Category 5 Hurricane Otis roars into Mexico, causing widespread destruction

Hurricane Lee has intensified into a Category 5 storm as it spins hundreds of miles east of the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said early Friday (September 8).

Hurricane Lee has intensified into a Category 5 storm as it spins hundreds of miles east of the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said early Friday (September 8). Lee was a Category 1 storm on Thursday but has intensified with exceptional speed since then. In its update, the NHC said that Lee was located about 630 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands. “Additional strengthening is forecast today. Fluctuations in intensity are likely over the next few days, but Lee is expected to remain a major hurricane through early next week,” it added. On Thursday, the NHC said that Lee was expected to remain powerful through the next several days. Hurricane Lee likely to reach peak intensity by this weekend According to a report by CNN on Friday, Hurricane Lee would likely reach its peak intensity by this weekend and is still expected to be a dangerous hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic early next week. The report said there was increasing confidence that the centre of Lee will pass to the north of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend and into early next week. The NHC, meanwhile, also said dangerous surf and rip currents will spread across the northern Caribbean on Friday and begin affecting the US on Sunday. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Hurricane Lee strengthens to Category 5 storm, likely to reach its peak intensity by weekend

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.

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. Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis begged residents of Abaco and Grand Bahamas to head for the main island to escape the "devastating, dangerous" storm. "I want you to remember: homes, houses, structures can be replaced. Lives cannot be replaced," he told a news conference on Saturday, adding that 73,000 people and 21,000 homes were at risk to storm surges, which are predicted to reach up to 20 feet (6.1 meters). The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour (260 km per hour) early on Sunday and was about 35 miles (55 km) east of Abaco. After churning over the Bahamas, it is expected to veer northwest and could spare Florida a direct hit. Communities further north in Georgia and South Carolina raised alert levels on Saturday, with residents filling sandbags as authorities tested infrastructure and hurricane drills. Despite Dorian appearing to spare the United States a direct impact, the NHC warned the Category 5 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale would lash millions from Florida to the Carolinas with strong winds and punishing surf. Most tourists who planned to leave the Bahamas got out before the main airport closed on Friday night. Jeffrey Simmons, the deputy director of Bahamas' department of meteorology, said Dorian will cause prolonged periods of large swells and storm surges along the north coast of Grand Bahama and the north and east coast of Abaco. Potential damage to the Bahamas from Dorian could be exacerbated by the fact that its westward motion is forecast to slow, keeping it over the islands for longer, the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency said in a statement. Grand Bahama and Abaco are hubs of the Bahamas' thriving tourism industry. But after days of evacuations only 26 tourists are left on Grand Bahama, authorities said on Saturday. "We have been for the last few days asking all tourists to leave the island in anticipation of the hurricane," said Kwasi Thompson, minister of state for Grand Bahama. Meanwhile, a new tropical storm has formed southwest of Mexico and is expected to become a hurricane on Monday. Tropical Storm Juliette is 455 miles (735 km) from Manzanillo, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph), the NHC said on Sunday.

Dorian strengthens to powerful category 5 hurricane as it nears Bahamas

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