Hurricane Dorian has slammed into the Bahamas, causing “catastrophic damage” with hurricane-force winds, deadly storm surge and torrential rain. The weather system is currently stalled over the islands but is forecast to track to the southeastern United States coast later this week. Florida lies in the path of potential tracks for Dorian, with Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis warning residents to prepare and heed evacuation warnings.

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis told The Weather Channel on Monday: “Even though forecasters say it [Dorian] may remain off the coast, it is very close to some of these communities on Florida’s East Coast.

“So that a wobble here, a wobble there, and you’re looking at potentially catastrophic impacts.

“If you see what’s happening in the Bahamas, that is just unbelievable power and strength.”

As of the NOAA’s latest update at 11am EDT (4pm BST) Dorian was packing winds of 155mph with higher gusts.

Read More: Hurricane Dorian update: Georgia on ALERT as heads Dorian for US

This meant the storm was downgraded to a Category 4 storm, but only just, as a Category 5 hurricane has winds of 156mph or greater.

In a tweet, Mr Desantis warned: “As we continue to monitor #Dorian, all Floridians should follow local reports and all evacuation orders.

“We are ready to deploy assets as needed and will continue to monitor traffic and fuel levels as more counties come under hurricane watches & warnings.”

The NHC predicts on it’s current track “the core of extremely dangerous Dorian will continue to pound Grand Bahama Island through much of today and tonight.

“The hurricane will move dangerously close to the Florida east coast tonight through Wednesday evening.”

Read More: Hurricane Dorian update: Georgia on ALERT as heads Dorian for US

Below are the current hurricane watches, alerts and storm warnings from the NHC.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Lantana to the Flagler/Volusia County Line

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

• North of Deerfield Beach to south of Lantana
• Flagler/Volusia County Line to the Savannah River

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

• Grand Bahama and the Abacos Islands in the northwestern Bahamas
• Jupiter Inlet to the Flagler/Volusia County Line

Read More: Hurricane Dorian: NOAA 8am path update: CAT 5 lingering on Bahamas

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

• North of Deerfield Beach to Jupiter Inlet
• Flagler/Volusia County Line to the Altamaha Sound Georgia

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for North of Deerfield Beach to Jupiter Inlet

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

• North of Golden Beach to Deerfield Beach
• Lake Okeechobee

Powerful winds and severe storm surge are already being felt along the US east coast.

The National Weather Service has warned residents to keep out of the water and away from coastlines.

Current Florida Evacuations:

• Brevard County — Mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Zone A, including all mobile and manufactured homes
• Duval County (Jacksonville) — Mandatory evacuation order issued for Zones A and B, as well as Huguenot and Hanna parks, at 8am EDT on Monday.
• Indian River County — Mandatory evacuation order issued at 8am EDT on Monday for all areas east of US Highway 1, including the barrier islands.
• Martin County — Mandatory evacuation order for Zone A and Zone B are in effect. This includes Hutchinson Island, Jupiter Island, Sewall’s Point, low lying areas, and mobile and manufactured homes.
• Nassau County — Mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Zones A, C and F.
• Palm Beach County — Mandatory evacuation ordered for Zone A and Zone B. Zone A includes mobile homes, sub-standard housing and low-lying areas prone to water intrusion. Zone B includes the barrier islands, land areas north and south of the Jupiter Inlet, and other surge-vulnerable areas south along the Intracoastal Waterway to the Broward County line.
• St. Johns County — Mandatory evacuation order issued at 8am EDT Monday for Zone A and Zone B, which includes the entire cities of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach, and those living on waterfront property or in flood-prone areas.
• St. Lucie County — Mandatory evacuation order for residents on the barrier island (North and South Hutchinson Island), those living in low-lying coastal areas and mobile homes.
• Volusia County — Mandatory evacuation order issued at 10am EDT Monday for residents who live on the beachside and in low-lying areas, RVs and mobile homes.

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