Bahamas battered by ‘monster’ Dorian storm, forecast to threaten Florida

 Hurricane Dorian, the second-strongest Atlantic storm on record,  to hit the Caribbean islands of the Bahamas since records began has torn roofs from buildings and caused severe flooding.

Hurricane Dorian, a category five storm, has sustained winds of up to 180mph (285km/h).

The hurricane is moving slowly westwards and may hit areas of the eastern US seaboard.

The US states of Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina have all declared states of emergency.

Areas of the Abaco islands were under water after the storm hit the Bahamas’ Elbow Cay soon after midday on Sunday.

Hazards for the Abaco Islands included storm surges 18 to 23 feet (5.5 to 7 metres) above normal tide levels, with higher destructive waves, the Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

The storm also battered Grand Bahama island with high winds and torrential rainfall.

Bahamas residents posted footage showing floodwaters engulfing some homes after high winds had torn their roofs off.

There are also reports of power cuts and limited access to internet around the country’s 700 islands.

The government has opened 14 shelters and names dozens of churches, schools and other buildings    on its official lists of emergency shelters.

But as sites become full, there is concern that people will be forced to take refuge in other places that aren’t listed to receive food and water from the government.