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MILLIONS of Americans are braced for “killer” eight foot storm surges and flooding as Hurricane Dorian batters South Carolina.

The 115mph mega-storm pummelled the Bahamas for two days leaving widespread devastation and at least 20 people dead.

Charleston, South Carolina, has been hit by flooding from Hurricane Dorian
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Charleston, South Carolina, has been hit by flooding from Hurricane DorianCredit: 2019
A woman braves the downpours in Charleston, South Carolina
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A woman braves the downpours in Charleston, South CarolinaCredit: 2019
The deadly vortex has slammed into South Carolina
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The deadly vortex has slammed into South CarolinaCredit: twitter NOAASatellitePA

And the deadly vortex has now moved on to the US – and has strengthened back to a category 3 storm after dropping in power from category 5 to category 2.Dorian began raking the south-eastern states early today, leaving more than 200,000 homes and businesses without power and threatening to swamp low-lying coasts from Georgia to Virginia.

And authorities have issued a chilling warning to those still remaining in danger zones.

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+

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said: “We thought it was coming and here it is.

“Our message today is: if you are still in an evacuation zone, you still have time to get out. But time is running out.”

And his North Carolina counterpart begged:“Get to safety and stay there – this won't be a brush-by.

“Whether it comes ashore or not, the eye of the storm will be close enough to cause extensive damage in North Carolina.”

An estimated 3 million people in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas were warned to evacuate as the storm closed in.

At least two deaths were reported on the US mainland - in Florida and North Carolina - both involving men who fell while getting ready for the storm.

The storm has already brought terrifying wind and rain to the Isle of Palms, South Carolina
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The storm has already brought terrifying wind and rain to the Isle of Palms, South CarolinaCredit: twitter ChiefCornett
Trees are bent sideways by the powerful wind in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
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Trees are bent sideways by the powerful wind in Mount Pleasant, South CarolinaCredit: Twitter KustomBeats
Crews with the Charleston Fire Department clear a fallen tree during Hurricane Dorian
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Crews with the Charleston Fire Department clear a fallen tree during Hurricane DorianCredit: 2019
A car on a flooded street during Hurricane Dorian in Charleston, South Carolina
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A car on a flooded street during Hurricane Dorian in Charleston, South CarolinaCredit: 2019
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The seating and light poles lie mangled at this Florida high school football field
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The seating and light poles lie mangled at this Florida high school football fieldCredit: AP:Associated Press

It is feared the storm will bring “life threatening storm surges” and terrifying 115mph winds.

As the storm crept dangerously closer to Charleston, South Carolina, winds picked up sending rain sheets sideways.

Thunder boomed in the night sky and power flickered on and off in places after locals boarded up homes and businesses and headed for shelter.

Hundreds of thousands also were ordered off the Georgia coast, with Governor Brian Kemp warning: "We are very worried, especially about the barrier islands getting cut off."

Much of Great Abaco remains flooded after Hurricane Dorian
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Much of Great Abaco remains flooded after Hurricane DorianCredit: AFP or licensors
Boats lie where they were tossed onto the land in the Bahamas
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Boats lie where they were tossed onto the land in the BahamasCredit: AFP or licensors
Hurricane Dorian flattened houses and businesses in Great Acabo, Bahamas
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Hurricane Dorian flattened houses and businesses in Great Acabo, BahamasCredit: AFP
A man stands among the mangled wreckage in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
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A man stands among the mangled wreckage in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
The destruction is seen from the air, in Marsh Harbor, Abaco Island, Bahamas
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The destruction is seen from the air, in Marsh Harbor, Abaco Island, Bahamas

 

Women walk through the rubble in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian on the Great Abaco island town of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
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Women walk through the rubble in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian on the Great Abaco island town of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
A destroyed house in the Great Abaco island town of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
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A destroyed house in the Great Abaco island town of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
A cars in a flooded car park next to Leonard M. Thompson International Airport in the Bahamas
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A cars in a flooded car park next to Leonard M. Thompson International Airport in the Bahamas

Duke Energy said Dorian could cause more than 700,000 power outages in easternmost parts of North Carolina and South Carolina, and Georgia Power said about 2,800 homes and businesses were already without electricity.

The Navy ordered ships at its huge base in Norfolk, Virginia, to head to sea for safety, and warplanes at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia, were being moved inland.

The commander of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic issued an emergency evacuation order for military personnel and their dependants in five North Carolina counties.

In Florida, there was widespread relief after the state escaped the battering it was initially predicted to take.

Fisherman watched helplessly as his wife drowned in Hurricane Dorian

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Orlando, Florida's international airport, reopened, after closing completely as Dorian approached.

Disney World and Universal also reopened after shutting their doors in the interests of visitor safety.

But the Magic Kingdom resembled a ghost town yesterday with many still preferring to play it safe and stay away.

Aerial pics in Great Abaco, Bahamas show the devastation caused
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Aerial pics in Great Abaco, Bahamas show the devastation causedCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Boats sit where they were hurled onto dry land in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
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Boats sit where they were hurled onto dry land in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
This house in the Bahamas was torn apart by the wind and waves
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This house in the Bahamas was torn apart by the wind and wavesCredit: Getty Images - Getty
A man searches for his wife in the Marsh Harbour Medical Clinic in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian
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A man searches for his wife in the Marsh Harbour Medical Clinic in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian
People wash themselves amidst the wreckage after being left with nothing
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People wash themselves amidst the wreckage after being left with nothing
A hotel room lies destroyed in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
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A hotel room lies destroyed in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas
North Carolina government reports first 'storm-related' death after man falls from ladder while preparing for Hurricane Dorian

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