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

Hurricane Dorian spun west across the Atlantic ocean toward Florida on Saturday, August 31 after growing into an even stronger Category 4 storm as residents and visitors hunkered down in one of America's most popular tourist destinations. Watch this video to know more.

Bahamas braces for Hurricane Dorian, Florida on high alert

Storm changes the path but remains 'Extremely Dangerous'. To know more watch the video

Jack Sillin, Weather expert on Hurricane Dorian

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

As hurricane Dorian approaches, quick look at Florida's deadliest and destructive hurricanes

Hurricane Dorian spun west on Saturday, putting Georgia and the Carolinas in the path of a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-churns-toward-florida-as-dangerous-category-4-hurricane-246878"> possible landfall as well as Florida</a>, where some beaches were all but deserted on the holiday weekend as visitors braced for the dangerous category 4 storm.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said there had been a "notable change" since Friday night, with the latest forecasts showing the eye of the storm could veer north and stay out at sea.

But it warned that its course remained unpredictable. Dorian still poses a threat to millions of people, as well as holiday attractions such as Walt Disney World, the NASA launchpads along the Space Coast, and even President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

The NHC said Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) and was expected to pass north of the southeastern and central Bahamas on Sunday and be near Florida's east coast late Monday through Tuesday.

Of immediate concern were Bahamas tourist hotspots Great Abaco and Grand Bahamas, where up to two days of hurricane-force winds were set to start on Sunday as Dorian slowed to a 2 mph (3.2 kph) crawl.

"This is a very dangerous situation for the Bahamas," NHC Director Ken Graham said in a Facebook Live video.

After so much focus on a possible Florida landfall, Graham said other southeast US states now had to be on alert.

"Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have got to pay attention as well," he said.

The governors of Florida, Georgia and North Carolina have all declared states of emergency.

On Florida's east coast, popular surfing spot Cocoa Beach was quiet as tourists stayed away, while locals worked on putting up hurricane shutters and buying supplies ranging from water to power generators.

"It's pretty slow, there's not many people on the beach," said Alex Hendricks, a saleswoman at the Cocoa Beach Surf Company.

In the Bahamas, most tourists who planned to leave had already gone after Freeport's international airport was scheduled to shut down at 10 p.m. on Friday.

The NHC urged Florida residents to remain on alert.

"It should be noted that the new forecast track does not preclude Dorian making landfall on the Florida coast, as large portions of the coast remain in the track cone of uncertainty," the centre cautioned on Saturday.

Trump said South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia could all be hit harder by the storm than had been previously expected.

"It's moving around and very hard to predict, except that it is one of the biggest and strongest (and really wide) that we have seen in decades. Be safe!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

Hurricane Dorian spun west on Saturday, putting Georgia and the Carolinas in the path of a possible landfall as well as Florida, where some beaches were all but deserted on the holiday weekend as visitors braced for the dangerous category 4 storm.

Hurricane Dorian spun west on Saturday, putting Georgia and the Carolinas in the path of a possible landfall as well as Florida, where some beaches were all but deserted on the holiday weekend as visitors braced for the dangerous category 4 storm. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said there had been a "notable change" since Friday night, with the latest forecasts showing the eye of the storm could veer north and stay out at sea. But it warned that its course remained unpredictable. Dorian still poses a threat to millions of people, as well as holiday attractions such as Walt Disney World, the NASA launchpads along the Space Coast, and even President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. The NHC said Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) and was expected to pass north of the southeastern and central Bahamas on Sunday and be near Florida's east coast late Monday through Tuesday. Of immediate concern were Bahamas tourist hotspots Great Abaco and Grand Bahamas, where up to two days of hurricane-force winds were set to start on Sunday as Dorian slowed to a 2 mph (3.2 kph) crawl. "This is a very dangerous situation for the Bahamas," NHC Director Ken Graham said in a Facebook Live video. After so much focus on a possible Florida landfall, Graham said other southeast US states now had to be on alert. "Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have got to pay attention as well," he said. The governors of Florida, Georgia and North Carolina have all declared states of emergency. On Florida's east coast, popular surfing spot Cocoa Beach was quiet as tourists stayed away, while locals worked on putting up hurricane shutters and buying supplies ranging from water to power generators. "It's pretty slow, there's not many people on the beach," said Alex Hendricks, a saleswoman at the Cocoa Beach Surf Company. In the Bahamas, most tourists who planned to leave had already gone after Freeport's international airport was scheduled to shut down at 10 p.m. on Friday. The NHC urged Florida residents to remain on alert. "It should be noted that the new forecast track does not preclude Dorian making landfall on the Florida coast, as large portions of the coast remain in the track cone of uncertainty," the centre cautioned on Saturday. Trump said South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia could all be hit harder by the storm than had been previously expected. "It's moving around and very hard to predict, except that it is one of the biggest and strongest (and really wide) that we have seen in decades. Be safe!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

Dorian shifts, Georgia and Carolinas in path as well as Florida

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/florida-residents-told-to-stock-up-on-food-water-as-hurricane-nears-246731">Hurricane Dorian </a>strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" storm on Friday as it bore down on the Bahamas and the east coast of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-emergency-in-florida-as-hurricane-dorian-approaches-white-house-246736">US state of Florida</a>.

Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis urged residents of the Atlantic Ocean archipelago in the path of the "very powerful and potentially life-threatening hurricane" to seek safety.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Dorian, which is expected to make landfall in the Bahamas on Sunday and in Florida late Monday or Tuesday, "has strengthened to an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane" on a five-level scale.

Watch: Florida Braces for Hurricane Dorian

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The storm has winds near 140 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour), according to the NHC.

"A prolonged period of life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely in portions of the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane warning is in effect," the NHC said.

'Very great danger'

Minnis, the Bahamas prime minister, told a press conference that the storm was life-threatening.

"Those who refuse to evacuate place themselves in very great danger... Do not put your life and those of your loved ones at unnecessary risk.

"Do not be foolish and try to brave out this hurricane," Minnis said. "The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life."

With the path of the storm still uncertain, coastal Florida residents were not under evacuation orders yet but stocked up on food, water and other supplies and made preparations to flee their homes.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide declaration of emergency and urged its millions of residents to prepare for what he said could be a "major event."

"We're anticipating a massive amount of flooding," DeSantis said. "We urge all Floridians to have seven days' worth of food, medicine, and water."

"If you're in an evacuation zone and you're ordered to evacuate, please do so," DeSantis said.

The Florida National Guard said about 2,000 service members had been mobilized so far and another 2,000 would be on Saturday.

'Absolute monster'

President Donald Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago golf club is located in Palm Beach in Florida, said Dorian was "looking like it could be an absolute monster" and canceled a trip to Poland to stay behind and focus on preparations for the storm.

"All indications are it's going to hit very hard," Trump said in a video.

"Some people said bigger or at least as big as Andrew," a Category 5 storm that left 65 people dead in 1992, he said.

Trump declared a state of emergency in Florida authorizing federal assistance to supplement state and local efforts.

Georgia -- another southeastern state that could be in the storm's path -- has declared a state of emergency for 12 counties.

Governor Brian Kemp said the hurricane "has the potential to produce catastrophic impacts to citizens" throughout the southeast coastal region of the United States.

Trump warned that Georgia "is very much in (the hurricane's) path also. Georgia could be very much affected."

The US Coast Guard said ocean-going commercial vessels should make plans to leave south Florida ports.

A number of schools announced that classes would be canceled until at least Tuesday.

Orlando International Airport said it would halt commercial flights at 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on Monday "out of an abundance of caution." Orlando is the main airport for nearby Disney World.

NASA is also close by and the US space agency said it was moving an enormous mobile rocket launcher from a launch pad into a vehicle assembly building to protect it from the storm.

A Rolling Stones concert in Miami originally scheduled for Saturday night was moved up by a day due to the weather forecast, the band said on its Twitter account.

Hurricane Dorian strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" storm on Friday as it bore down on the Bahamas and the east coast of the US state of Florida. Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis urged residents of the Atlantic Ocean archipelago in the path of the "very powerful and potentially life-threatening hurricane" to seek safety.

Hurricane Dorian strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" storm on Friday as it bore down on the Bahamas and the east coast of the US state of Florida. Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis urged residents of the Atlantic Ocean archipelago in the path of the "very powerful and potentially life-threatening hurricane" to seek safety. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Dorian, which is expected to make landfall in the Bahamas on Sunday and in Florida late Monday or Tuesday, "has strengthened to an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane" on a five-level scale. Watch: Florida Braces for Hurricane Dorian × The storm has winds near 140 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour), according to the NHC. "A prolonged period of life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely in portions of the northwestern Bahamas, where a hurricane warning is in effect," the NHC said. 'Very great danger' Minnis, the Bahamas prime minister, told a press conference that the storm was life-threatening. "Those who refuse to evacuate place themselves in very great danger... Do not put your life and those of your loved ones at unnecessary risk. "Do not be foolish and try to brave out this hurricane," Minnis said. "The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life." With the path of the storm still uncertain, coastal Florida residents were not under evacuation orders yet but stocked up on food, water and other supplies and made preparations to flee their homes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide declaration of emergency and urged its millions of residents to prepare for what he said could be a "major event." "We're anticipating a massive amount of flooding," DeSantis said. "We urge all Floridians to have seven days' worth of food, medicine, and water." "If you're in an evacuation zone and you're ordered to evacuate, please do so," DeSantis said. The Florida National Guard said about 2,000 service members had been mobilized so far and another 2,000 would be on Saturday. 'Absolute monster' President Donald Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago golf club is located in Palm Beach in Florida, said Dorian was "looking like it could be an absolute monster" and canceled a trip to Poland to stay behind and focus on preparations for the storm. "All indications are it's going to hit very hard," Trump said in a video. "Some people said bigger or at least as big as Andrew," a Category 5 storm that left 65 people dead in 1992, he said. Trump declared a state of emergency in Florida authorizing federal assistance to supplement state and local efforts. Georgia -- another southeastern state that could be in the storm's path -- has declared a state of emergency for 12 counties. Governor Brian Kemp said the hurricane "has the potential to produce catastrophic impacts to citizens" throughout the southeast coastal region of the United States. Trump warned that Georgia "is very much in (the hurricane's) path also. Georgia could be very much affected." The US Coast Guard said ocean-going commercial vessels should make plans to leave south Florida ports. A number of schools announced that classes would be canceled until at least Tuesday. Orlando International Airport said it would halt commercial flights at 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on Monday "out of an abundance of caution." Orlando is the main airport for nearby Disney World. NASA is also close by and the US space agency said it was moving an enormous mobile rocket launcher from a launch pad into a vehicle assembly building to protect it from the storm. A Rolling Stones concert in Miami originally scheduled for Saturday night was moved up by a day due to the weather forecast, the band said on its Twitter account.

Bahamas, Florida in path of 'dangerous' Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian spun west across the Atlantic ocean toward Florida on Saturday after growing into an even stronger Category 4 storm as residents and visitors hunkered down in one of America's most popular tourist destinations.

Dorian churns toward Florida as dangerous category 4 hurricane

Hurricane Dorian spun west across the Atlantic ocean toward Florida on Saturday after growing into an even stronger <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-strengthens-to-category-4-storm-us-forecaster-246755">Category 4 stor</a>m as residents and visitors hunkered down in one of America's most popular tourist destinations.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said there had been a "notable change" since Friday night, with the latest forecasts showing the eye of the storm could veer north and stay out at sea.

But it warned that its course remained unpredictable. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-emergency-in-florida-as-hurricane-dorian-approaches-white-house-246736">Dorian still poses a threat to millions of people</a>, as well as holiday attractions such as Walt Disney World, the NASA launchpads along the Space Coast, and even President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

The NHC said Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph) and was expected to pass north of the southeastern and central Bahamas on Saturday and be near Florida's east coast late on Monday.

"While some fluctuations in intensity are possible, Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few days," the NHC said in a statement on Saturday.

On Florida's east coast, where Dorian's winds are expected to quickly gather speed on Monday, residents bought bottled water, plywood and other supplies as fast as they could be restocked on Friday. Some gas stations ran out of fuel.

"They're buying everything and anything that applies to a hurricane, flashlights, batteries, generators," said Amber Hunter, 30, assistant manager at Cape Canaveral's ACE Handiman hardware store.

Tourists scrambled to leave the Bahamas on Friday as Dorian approached its northwestern islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, eager to take off before the international airport shut down at 10 pm

'Really worried'

The NHC urged Florida residents to remain on alert.

"It should be noted that the new forecast track does not preclude Dorian making landfall on the Florida coast, as large portions of the coast remain in the track cone of uncertainty," the center cautioned on Saturday.

Cocoa Beach Mayor Ben Malik was taking no chances, putting up storm shutters on his Florida home on Friday afternoon and worrying about the flooding Dorian could unleash on his barrier island town.

"It's slowed down, we're looking at a multiple-day event, we were hoping it would just barrel through and leave," Malik said of forecasts that Dorian could sit over Florida for up to two days, dumping up to 18 inches (46 cm) of water.

"I'm really worried about the amount of rain we'll be getting."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to have in reserve at least a week's worth of food, water and medicine.

Trump told reporters before leaving for Camp David for the weekend: "We're thinking about Florida evacuations, but it's a little bit too soon. We'll probably make that determination on Sunday."

But Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson on Friday urged its 46,000 residents who planned to evacuate not to delay.

"It's decision time now. Don't wait until I-95 north and I-75 north and the turnpike are parking lots," said Hudson, who experienced two devastating hurricanes in 2004.

Two thousand National Guard troops were mobilised on Friday, and 2,000 more were due to be joining them on Saturday. Florida officials also were making sure that all nursing homes and assisted living facilities had generators.

Hurricane Dorian spun west across the Atlantic ocean toward Florida on Saturday after growing into an even stronger Category 4 storm as residents and visitors hunkered down in one of America's most popular tourist destinations. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said there had been a "notable change" since Friday night, with the latest forecasts showing the eye of the storm could veer north and stay out at sea. But it warned that its course remained unpredictable. Dorian still poses a threat to millions of people, as well as holiday attractions such as Walt Disney World, the NASA launchpads along the Space Coast, and even President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. The NHC said Dorian was packing maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph) and was expected to pass north of the southeastern and central Bahamas on Saturday and be near Florida's east coast late on Monday. "While some fluctuations in intensity are possible, Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few days," the NHC said in a statement on Saturday. On Florida's east coast, where Dorian's winds are expected to quickly gather speed on Monday, residents bought bottled water, plywood and other supplies as fast as they could be restocked on Friday. Some gas stations ran out of fuel. "They're buying everything and anything that applies to a hurricane, flashlights, batteries, generators," said Amber Hunter, 30, assistant manager at Cape Canaveral's ACE Handiman hardware store. Tourists scrambled to leave the Bahamas on Friday as Dorian approached its northwestern islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, eager to take off before the international airport shut down at 10 pm 'Really worried' The NHC urged Florida residents to remain on alert. "It should be noted that the new forecast track does not preclude Dorian making landfall on the Florida coast, as large portions of the coast remain in the track cone of uncertainty," the center cautioned on Saturday. Cocoa Beach Mayor Ben Malik was taking no chances, putting up storm shutters on his Florida home on Friday afternoon and worrying about the flooding Dorian could unleash on his barrier island town. "It's slowed down, we're looking at a multiple-day event, we were hoping it would just barrel through and leave," Malik said of forecasts that Dorian could sit over Florida for up to two days, dumping up to 18 inches (46 cm) of water. "I'm really worried about the amount of rain we'll be getting." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to have in reserve at least a week's worth of food, water and medicine. Trump told reporters before leaving for Camp David for the weekend: "We're thinking about Florida evacuations, but it's a little bit too soon. We'll probably make that determination on Sunday." But Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson on Friday urged its 46,000 residents who planned to evacuate not to delay. "It's decision time now. Don't wait until I-95 north and I-75 north and the turnpike are parking lots," said Hudson, who experienced two devastating hurricanes in 2004. Two thousand National Guard troops were mobilised on Friday, and 2,000 more were due to be joining them on Saturday. Florida officials also were making sure that all nursing homes and assisted living facilities had generators.

Residents of Florida on Friday (August 30) were boarding up windows and stocking up on food, water and gas as Hurricane Dorian gained strength and slowly churned toward the U.S. mainland.

Floridians stock up as Hurricane Dorian strengthens

President Donald Trump declared that an emergency exists in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/florida-residents-told-to-stock-up-on-food-water-as-hurricane-nears-246731">state of Florida, with Hurricane Dorian</a> expected to make landfall as a life-threatening Category 4 storm over the three-day US Labor Day holiday weekend, and authorized US federal agencies to provide appropriate assistance for emergency measures, the White House said in a press release on Friday, news agency Sputnik reported.&nbsp;

"The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures," the release said.

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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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1167030041303310336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-gains-strength-as-florida-braces-for-direct-hit-246598">Dorian</a> is expected make landfall in the US as a category 4 storm in the next 48 hours, with maximum sustained winds of 130–156 miles per hour, according to the NHC.

The latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of 6-to-12 inches of rain in parts of Florida as Dorian passes over the state.

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We pray and prepare as Hurricane Dorian approaches. Sending love to the amazing people Florida. Stay safe!
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/1167453972355043329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods," the NHC said.

In addition, the NHC has warned of a life threatening storm surge, first in the Bahamas and later in Florida, with water levels as much as 10 to 15 feet above normal tide levels.

Florida residents were bracing for a hurricane on Thursday that was threatening to smack into the center of the state over the Labor Day weekend, and President Donald Trump said it appeared the storm's winds would be "unbelievably high," news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Dorian gained power late on Thursday night, jumping from 85 mph (137 kmh) to 105 mph (165 kmh) and with higher wind gusts, making it a Category 2 storm on the 5-step Saffir-Simpson scale for measuring hurricane intensity.

Trump canceled a visit to Poland scheduled for the weekend and Florida's governor expanded a state of emergency to prepare for Hurricane Dorian, which is forecast to make landfall on the Atlantic coast Monday as a dangerous Category 4 storm.

"Now it's looking like it could be an absolute monster," Trump said in a video posted on Twitter, adding that food and water was being shipped to Florida.

"It does seem almost certain that it’s hitting dead center and that’s not good. The winds seem to be building at a tremendous rate. It looks like the winds are going to be unbelievably high.”

Florida's governor on Friday urged residents in the state to stock up on at least a week's worth of food, water and medicine and to prepare to lose power and cellphone service for days after Hurricane Dorian makes landfall early next week, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

The slow march and rising intensity of the storm, which is moving in a northwestern direction to the Bahamas, has alarmed forecasters who worry parts of Florida will be walloped by strong winds, a storm surge and heavy rain for an extended period.

"I think there’s a pretty high degree of certainty that this is going to be a major hurricane," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a news conference from the state emergency operations centre in Tallahassee. He said residents should prepare for a "multiday event."

&nbsp;

President Donald Trump declared that an emergency exists in the state of Florida, with Hurricane Dorian expected to make landfall as a life-threatening Category 4 storm over the three-day US Labor Day holiday weekend, and authorized US federal agencies to provide appropriate assistance for emergency measures, the White House said in a press release on Friday, news agency Sputnik reported.

President Donald Trump declared that an emergency exists in the state of Florida, with Hurricane Dorian expected to make landfall as a life-threatening Category 4 storm over the three-day US Labor Day holiday weekend, and authorized US federal agencies to provide appropriate assistance for emergency measures, the White House said in a press release on Friday, news agency Sputnik reported. "The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures," the release said. 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 × Dorian is expected make landfall in the US as a category 4 storm in the next 48 hours, with maximum sustained winds of 130–156 miles per hour, according to the NHC. The latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of 6-to-12 inches of rain in parts of Florida as Dorian passes over the state. We pray and prepare as Hurricane Dorian approaches. Sending love to the amazing people Florida. Stay safe! — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) August 30, 2019 × "This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods," the NHC said. In addition, the NHC has warned of a life threatening storm surge, first in the Bahamas and later in Florida, with water levels as much as 10 to 15 feet above normal tide levels. Florida residents were bracing for a hurricane on Thursday that was threatening to smack into the center of the state over the Labor Day weekend, and President Donald Trump said it appeared the storm's winds would be "unbelievably high," news agency Reuters reported. Dorian gained power late on Thursday night, jumping from 85 mph (137 kmh) to 105 mph (165 kmh) and with higher wind gusts, making it a Category 2 storm on the 5-step Saffir-Simpson scale for measuring hurricane intensity. Trump canceled a visit to Poland scheduled for the weekend and Florida's governor expanded a state of emergency to prepare for Hurricane Dorian, which is forecast to make landfall on the Atlantic coast Monday as a dangerous Category 4 storm. "Now it's looking like it could be an absolute monster," Trump said in a video posted on Twitter, adding that food and water was being shipped to Florida. "It does seem almost certain that it’s hitting dead center and that’s not good. The winds seem to be building at a tremendous rate. It looks like the winds are going to be unbelievably high.” Florida's governor on Friday urged residents in the state to stock up on at least a week's worth of food, water and medicine and to prepare to lose power and cellphone service for days after Hurricane Dorian makes landfall early next week, news agency AFP reported. The slow march and rising intensity of the storm, which is moving in a northwestern direction to the Bahamas, has alarmed forecasters who worry parts of Florida will be walloped by strong winds, a storm surge and heavy rain for an extended period. "I think there’s a pretty high degree of certainty that this is going to be a major hurricane," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a news conference from the state emergency operations centre in Tallahassee. He said residents should prepare for a "multiday event."

Trump declares emergency in Florida as hurricane Dorian approaches: White House

Florida's governor on Friday urged residents in the state to stock up on at least a week's worth of food, water and medicine and to prepare to lose power and cellphone service for days after Hurricane Dorian makes landfall early next week.

The slow march and rising intensity of the storm, which is moving in a northwestern direction to the Bahamas, has alarmed forecasters who worry parts of Florida will be walloped by strong winds, a storm surge and heavy rain for an extended period.

"I think there’s a pretty high degree of certainty that this is going to be a major hurricane," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a news conference from the state emergency operations centre in Tallahassee. He said residents should prepare for a "multiday event."

Florida is under a declaration of emergency, and DeSantis has activated 2,500 National Guard troops, with another 1,500 on standby. No evacuations were ordered as of early Friday, but many were expected as the storm's path becomes clearer.

Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in 12 counties of neighbouring Georgia to assist with storm readiness, response and recovery.

Dorian began on Friday over the Atlantic as a Category 2 hurricane but was expected to be classified a Category 3 later in the day. It had maximum sustained winds near 110 miles per hour (175 km per hour), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT).

Forecasters predicted the storm would grow more ferocious as it gained fuel from the warm waters off Florida and be near the state's peninsula late on Monday.

The NHC has issued a hurricane watch for the northwestern Bahamas.

If, as expected, the storm reaches Category 4 over the weekend, its winds will blow at more than 130 mph (210 kph). There was a concern it could slow from its current 12-mph (9-kph) march across the map, giving it more time to intensify.

Recent NHC weather models show Dorian smacking into the centre of Florida.

The storm could roll inland toward Orlando on Tuesday or early Wednesday. Other NHC weather models show it tracking south toward Miami before hitting the peninsula, or heading north to the Georgia coast.

Along with the dangerous winds, the storm was expected to drop 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) of rain on the coastal United States. "This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods," NHC forecasters said.

President Donald Trump on Thursday cancelled a planned weekend trip to Poland, sending Vice President Mike Pence in his place, so he can make sure resources are properly directed for the storm.

"Now it's looking like it could be an absolute monster," Trump said in a video posted on Twitter, adding that food and water were being shipped to Florida.

Dorian could churn across dozens of launchpads owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Air Force and companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

Fuel, nursing homes

Some gas stations in Florida have run dry and others have long lines of cars, DeSantis said, adding that the state had eased regulations to allow higher-capacity trucks to transport fuel and to make it easier to bring in fuel from other states.

Gasoline prices at the pump are not expected to spike because of the storm, said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.com.

"This is not going to be a pricing event," DeHaan said. "There are no refiners in Florida, there’s only a pipeline, and I can’t imagine that would be affected significantly. Fuel is flowing, and that’s the most important factor.”

Colonial Pipeline, which delivers fuels such as gasoline and diesel from the Gulf Coast to markets across the southern and eastern United States, said it was operating normally. It had no plans to shut down ahead of Dorian's projected landfall.

Florida officials also were making sure all nursing homes and assisted living facilities had generators, and were checking with 107 facilities where information about generators was uncertain.

Earlier this week, police in Hollywood, Florida, charged four nursing home caregivers with causing the deaths of 12 patients who died in the sweltering heat of a post-hurricane power outage left by Hurricane Irma two years ago.

Florida's governor on Friday urged residents in the state to stock up on at least a week's worth of food, water and medicine and to prepare to lose power and cellphone service for days after Hurricane Dorian makes landfall early next week.

Florida's governor on Friday urged residents in the state to stock up on at least a week's worth of food, water and medicine and to prepare to lose power and cellphone service for days after Hurricane Dorian makes landfall early next week. The slow march and rising intensity of the storm, which is moving in a northwestern direction to the Bahamas, has alarmed forecasters who worry parts of Florida will be walloped by strong winds, a storm surge and heavy rain for an extended period. "I think there’s a pretty high degree of certainty that this is going to be a major hurricane," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a news conference from the state emergency operations centre in Tallahassee. He said residents should prepare for a "multiday event." Florida is under a declaration of emergency, and DeSantis has activated 2,500 National Guard troops, with another 1,500 on standby. No evacuations were ordered as of early Friday, but many were expected as the storm's path becomes clearer. Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in 12 counties of neighbouring Georgia to assist with storm readiness, response and recovery. Dorian began on Friday over the Atlantic as a Category 2 hurricane but was expected to be classified a Category 3 later in the day. It had maximum sustained winds near 110 miles per hour (175 km per hour), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT). Forecasters predicted the storm would grow more ferocious as it gained fuel from the warm waters off Florida and be near the state's peninsula late on Monday. The NHC has issued a hurricane watch for the northwestern Bahamas. If, as expected, the storm reaches Category 4 over the weekend, its winds will blow at more than 130 mph (210 kph). There was a concern it could slow from its current 12-mph (9-kph) march across the map, giving it more time to intensify. Recent NHC weather models show Dorian smacking into the centre of Florida. The storm could roll inland toward Orlando on Tuesday or early Wednesday. Other NHC weather models show it tracking south toward Miami before hitting the peninsula, or heading north to the Georgia coast. Along with the dangerous winds, the storm was expected to drop 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) of rain on the coastal United States. "This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods," NHC forecasters said. President Donald Trump on Thursday cancelled a planned weekend trip to Poland, sending Vice President Mike Pence in his place, so he can make sure resources are properly directed for the storm. "Now it's looking like it could be an absolute monster," Trump said in a video posted on Twitter, adding that food and water were being shipped to Florida. Dorian could churn across dozens of launchpads owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Air Force and companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. Fuel, nursing homes Some gas stations in Florida have run dry and others have long lines of cars, DeSantis said, adding that the state had eased regulations to allow higher-capacity trucks to transport fuel and to make it easier to bring in fuel from other states. Gasoline prices at the pump are not expected to spike because of the storm, said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.com. "This is not going to be a pricing event," DeHaan said. "There are no refiners in Florida, there’s only a pipeline, and I can’t imagine that would be affected significantly. Fuel is flowing, and that’s the most important factor.” Colonial Pipeline, which delivers fuels such as gasoline and diesel from the Gulf Coast to markets across the southern and eastern United States, said it was operating normally. It had no plans to shut down ahead of Dorian's projected landfall. Florida officials also were making sure all nursing homes and assisted living facilities had generators, and were checking with 107 facilities where information about generators was uncertain. Earlier this week, police in Hollywood, Florida, charged four nursing home caregivers with causing the deaths of 12 patients who died in the sweltering heat of a post-hurricane power outage left by Hurricane Irma two years ago.

Florida residents told to stock up on food, water as hurricane Dorian nears

Hurricane Dorian is on track to strengthen to a powerful Category 4 hurricane with possible life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds.

Florida braces for Hurricane Dorian, expands state of emergency

Hurricane Dorian is expected to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm on August 30 with winds of at least 111 mph (178 km/h) as it heads towards Florida's Atlantic coast.

Florida Braces for Hurricane Dorian

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

Florida braces for Hurricane Dorian. Watch more to know.

Your Story: Florida braces for Hurricane Dorian

The COVID-19 cases are rising all around the world and South Africa, a country where the delta and Omicron variants of the virus caused a major issue, is no different. There has been an increase in cases lately and officials fear that the African nation may be entering the fifth wave of the pandemic.

According to the scientists in South Africa, the country has seen a huge rise in case due to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants and that can result into the beginning of the fifth wave. There has been some variation to Omicron, but the experts are not worried with the slight changes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-guyana-is-looking-towards-india-as-a-global-leader-says-foreign-minister-hugh-hilton-todd-474928">Exclusive | Guyana is looking towards India as a global leader, says FM</a>

In an official health briefing, health minister Joe Phaahla said that the experts have not found any new variant and although hospitalisation has gone up, the death rate has remained constant.

South Africa had the worst case and death numbers in Africa during the fourth wave of COVID-19 and the experts are fearing a similar issue if they experience the fifth wave around May-June.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/end-of-regulatory-crackdown-china-to-hold-symposium-with-the-countrys-big-tech-firms-474875">End of regulatory crackdown? China to hold symposium with Big Tech firms</a>

Overall, around 3.7 million Covid cases have been reported in South Africa till now with the death toll crossing 100,000. It was pointed out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that South Africa was partly responsible for the surge of COVID-19 cases in the African continent.

The last few months have seen a resurgence of COVID-19 cases all around the world. China and South Korea have reported record number of cases with Shanghai and parts of Beijing going into lockdown and the government conducting mass testing in various parts of the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

The COVID-19 cases are rising all around the world and South Africa, a country where the delta and Omicron variants of the virus caused a major issue, is no different.

The COVID-19 cases are rising all around the world and South Africa, a country where the delta and Omicron variants of the virus caused a major issue, is no different. There has been an increase in cases lately and officials fear that the African nation may be entering the fifth wave of the pandemic. According to the scientists in South Africa, the country has seen a huge rise in case due to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants and that can result into the beginning of the fifth wave. There has been some variation to Omicron, but the experts are not worried with the slight changes. Also read | Exclusive | Guyana is looking towards India as a global leader, says FM In an official health briefing, health minister Joe Phaahla said that the experts have not found any new variant and although hospitalisation has gone up, the death rate has remained constant. South Africa had the worst case and death numbers in Africa during the fourth wave of COVID-19 and the experts are fearing a similar issue if they experience the fifth wave around May-June. Also read | End of regulatory crackdown? China to hold symposium with Big Tech firms Overall, around 3.7 million Covid cases have been reported in South Africa till now with the death toll crossing 100,000. It was pointed out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that South Africa was partly responsible for the surge of COVID-19 cases in the African continent. The last few months have seen a resurgence of COVID-19 cases all around the world. China and South Korea have reported record number of cases with Shanghai and parts of Beijing going into lockdown and the government conducting mass testing in various parts of the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Dorian appears to spare Puerto Rico, heads for Florida

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Dorian churns toward Florida as dangerous category 4 hurricane

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Trump declares emergency in Florida as hurricane Dorian approaches: White House

Florida residents told to stock up on food, water as hurricane Dorian nears

Florida braces for Hurricane Dorian, expands state of emergency

Florida Braces for Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian expected to strengthen into dangerous Category 3 storm

Your Story: Florida braces for Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian appears to spare Puerto Rico, heads for Florida