CHILLING SILENCE
Hurricane Dorian leaves Disney World Florida deserted as deadly storm batters US coast after killing 20 in the Bahamas
HAUNTING images show Disney World deserted as deadly Hurricane Dorian lashes the US coast.
The monster hurricane killed at least 20 people when it hit the Bahamas as a highest-level Category 5 storm.
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Dorian is currently roaring up the eastern coast of the US, with the potential for major flooding in South Carolina when it hits today.
Concerned tourists stayed away from Disney World in Florida yesterday as the storm whipped the coastline.
Pictures from the park, which is Disney's busiest, showed attractions empty as tourists sheltered indoors, rather than braving the bad weather.
Disney World said it expects to see a spike in visitors over the weekend as guests who have postponed their trips return.
Dorian was downgraded to a Category 2 storm, but it has now strengthened to a Category 3 as it batters the US coast with 110mph winds.
The hurricane is now heading north, and will pass the states of Georgia and South Carolina over the next 24 hours.
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Hurricane Dorian smashes Florida with 110mph gales closing Disney World after mega storm devastates Bahamas killing 7
It is expected to reach North Carolina on Friday morning before passing back out into the Atlantic Ocean.
The US National Hurricane Center said that life-threatening storm floods and dangerous winds are expected along the states' coasts.
"The flash flood threat will increase overnight along the Florida east coast, then spread up the southeast and mid Atlantic coast beginning Wednesday," the Center said.
BAHAMAS DEVASTATED
Dorian has already left acres of debris and some 13,000 homes destroyed across the Bahamas after moving over the islands earlier this week.
Bahamas Health Minister Duane Sands said 20 deaths had been confirmed so far and the number is expected to rise.
The long-term impact on the tourism-dependent islands is also expected to be significant.
Prime Minister Hubert Minnis had called Dorian "one of the greatest national crises in our country's history".
He said: "Parts of [Baham island] Abaco are decimated.
"There's severe flooding, there's severe damage to homes, businesses, other buildings and infrastructure."
He added that residents had "endured hours and days of horror, fearing for their lives and the lives of their loved ones".
BRITISH AID ARRIVES
On Wednesday, a British aid vessel arrived to help locals left homeless by the storm.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Mounts Bay delivered essential aid – including shelter kits – to residents of Great Abaco.
A disaster relief team was also sent ashore ready to work with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, which helped unload vital aid gifted by the Department for International Development.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The highly skilled crew and specialist equipment of RFA Mounts Bay have been on call since June to support our overseas territories and friends in the hurricane season.
“It’s Wildcat helicopter has begun conducting reconnaissance flights of The Bahamas to help assess the damage and the crew have begun distributing UK aid.
“My thoughts remain with those affected and our world-class military will continue to assist the Bahamas Government to offer relief and aid to those who need it most.”
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Aerial images showed huge areas of usually-dry land submerged and devastation where waters have receded.
Harrowing accounts of personal tragedy have also emerged, including one survivor who described watching his wife drown.
Barbadian singer Rihanna led celebrity tributes to the people affected by the storm.
“It truly breaks my heart to see the complete devastation that Hurricane Dorian is having on the Bahamas,” she said.
“You are in our prayers.”
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Witherspoon called the damage "beyond devastating" and said she was "praying for my friends and families in Bahamas".
Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg wrote on twitter: "Today our thoughts are with the people in the Bahamas. Stay safe."
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