Hurricane Dorian churning closer to the Bahamas
ST. JOHN’S (Antigua and Barbuda), Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Residents in the Bahamas rushed to prepare as “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Dorian barreled toward the island chain Friday, with government offices on lockdown and thousands told to evacuate their homes.
Currently a Category 4 storm, Dorian was packing winds near 215 kilometers per hour by Friday evening and was expected to make landfall in the Bahamas — a major tourist destination — on Sunday.
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis issued an evacuation order for the Abaco islands and parts of Grand Bahama, warning residents not to be “foolish” by trying to “brave out” the hurricane.
“The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life,” Minnis said.
Flights were being increased to enable residents to vacate the northwestern-lying isles, with more than 150 hurricane shelters, predominantly churches and schools, made available.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that life-threatening storm surge could raise water levels by as much as three to 4.5 meters above normal tide levels in the northwestern Bahamas.
Hurricane conditions were likely to be felt in the islands as early as Saturday.
Some meteorological experts feared Dorian might stall close to Grand Bahama on Sunday night, causing a prolonged period of heavy rainfall which, coupled with hurricane-force winds, could prove disastrous.
Dale Destin, of the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, said Northern Bahamas “has the potential to receive catastrophic damage from major Hurricane Dorian.” — NNN-AGENCIES
