'GET OUT NOW'
Hurricane Dorian smashes Florida with 110mph gales as 2million Americans urged to flee before it’s too late
HURRICANE Dorian has slammed into Florida with 110mph winds after devastating the Bahamas - with Americans in its path told to "get out now".
The 225mph mega-storm hovered over the Caribbean island nation since Sunday, killing at least seven people and causing untold destruction.
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The monster left "apocalyptic" scenes in its wake, destroying thousands of homes, crippling hospitals and trapping people in attics.
And it has now moved on to the US mainland, sparking a mass evacuation with more than two million people in Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina told to flee.
US Federal Emergency Management Agency official Carlos Castillo said: "Don't tough it out. Get out."
The Category 2 vortex began creeping up the shore with its eye passing 95 miles east of Cape Canaveral in the early hours of this morning.
But even if the storm’s epicentre doesn’t make landfall, Americans were warned the storm surge would likely cause severe flooding up the east coast.
BRACING FOR IMPACT
Hurricane-force winds extend up to 60 miles from its centre, while tropical storm-force winds can be felt up to 175 miles from the core.
The US coast from north of West Palm Beach, Florida, through Georgia is expected to get up to nine inches of rainfall in places.
And the Carolinas could get up to 15 inches of rain, the National Hurricane Centre said.
Across the southeastern US, motorways leading away from beaches in South Carolina and Georgia were turned into one-way evacuation routes.
Several airports announced closings, and hundreds of flights were cancelled.
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In Florida, Walt Disney World closed its four theme parks by mid-afternoon on Tuesday amid fears for tourist safety.
It vowed to reopen the park today, writing on its site: "We are closely monitoring the progress of the storm and are making operational adjustments as needed, because nothing is more important than the safety of our guests and cast members."
Universal Orlando Resort also closed its theme parks early for the day because of the threat of the vicious storm.
How hurricanes are measured
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed.
- A Category 1 storm has sustained winds of 74-95 mph
- A Category 2 storm has sustained winds of 96-110 mph
- A Category 3 storm has sustained winds of 111-129 mph
- A Category 4 storm has sustained winds of 130-156mph
- A Category 5 storm has sustained winds of 156mph+
Its two parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, shut as of 6pm local time on Tuesday.
The company said: "We continue to closely monitor the weather and will share operational updates as needed."
Other theme parks in Orlando such as SeaWorld had already made plans to remain closed altogether.
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Aerial images reveal widespread destruction of Abaco Islands after Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas
Dorian smashed into the Bahamas on Monday as an apocalyptic 225mph Cat 5 Hurricane that parked over the area and reaped unparalleled destruction.
One victim described how he watched his wife drown in front of him as they huddled in their flooded home in Freeport, Grand Bahama, with the waters rising.
Howard Armstrong said: “She was standing on top of the kitchen cabinets until they disintegrated.
“And then I kept with her, and she just drowned on me.”
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told reporters the latest death count of seven included two people who were injured earlier and taken to New Providence Island.
Minnis said he flew over the Abaco Islands and expects to do the same in Grand Bahama as soon as the weather clears.
We are in the midst of one of the greatest national crises in our country's history
Prime Minister of the Bahamas Hubert Minnis
In Abaco, he saw groups of desperate and trapped people waving yellow sheets and shirts.
He said 60 per cent of homes were damaged in Marsh Harbor - and that at least one community was completely destroyed.
Minnis added: "We are in the midst of one of the greatest national crises in our country's history.
"No effort or resources will be held back."
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MASSIVE DEVASTATION
The airport at Freeport - the main city on Grand Bahama island - was submerged under about six feet of water.
Massive flooding has also rendered the main hospital unusable.
Rescuers began evacuating people late Tuesday using jet skis and boats.
They even brought in the large bulldozer, which carried people through deep muddy waters to safety.
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Many had their heads bowed down by still heavy wind and rain.
Lia Head-Rigby, who helps run a local hurricane relief organisation, said: "It's total devastation. It's decimated. Apocalyptic.
"It's not rebuilding something that was there; we have to start again."
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Hurricane Dorian - Bahamas video shows families saved from raging torrents as at least five are killed by 225mph storm
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