Hurricane Dorian: Millions ordered to evacuate as re-energised storm threatens North Carolina
Suspected tornados spinning off from the category 2 storm sweep through towns in South Carolina
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Your support makes all the difference.At least one tornado has swept through South Carolina as up to three million people were warned to evacuate from the possible path of a re-energised Hurricane Dorian as it pounded the US southeast coast.
Authorities warned of the potential for deadly floods, record rainfall and a path of destruction across multiple states.
The life-threatening storm, which has already killed at least 23 people in the Bahamas, knocked out power to more than 200,000 homes and businesses.
Although Dorian has decreased in intensity since its peak over the weekend and swept past Florida at a relatively safe distance, the storm still poses a serious threat to North Carolina’s Outer Banks islands. Dorian has been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane, as tornadoes were spotted in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and another in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The National Weather Service issued a total of 43 tornado warnings across both states, with the threat of tornadoes lasting into the night.
At least two deaths have so far been reported on the US mainland, in Florida and North Carolina, as a result of the storm, both involving men who fell while making preparations against the storm.
The National Hurricane Centre has predicted Dorian will pass near or over the Outer Banks on Friday, lashing the thin line of islands off the US coast.
Over Labour Day weekend, the Bahamas was pummelled with Category 5 winds up to 185 mph for more than 20 hours.
Hubert Minnis, the Bahamas’ prime minister, said the devastating destruction caused by the storm was "one of the greatest national crises in our country's history".
The storm weakened earlier this week before strengthening again late on Wednesday.
About 830,000 people have been put under mandatory evacuation orders in South Carolina alone.
Patrick Dowling, a spokesman for the port city of Charleston, said the hurricane had spun off at least one tornado in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, damaging several homes.
No injuries were reported.
Hundreds of shelter animals from coastal South Carolina were transported to Delaware from areas at risk of flooding ahead of the storm
The News Journal newspaper in Wilmington, Delaware, said 200 animals were airlifted early on Tuesday and about 150 more were expected to arrive via land.
In Georgia, hundreds of thousands of people were ordered off the Georgia coast – although the mayor of Tybee Island, a small beach community on the coast, said little damage had been inflicted overnight by Dorian.
Mayor Jason Buelterman said the storm spared the 3,000 residents from flooding as high tide was about 3 feet lower than expected.
"If the worst that comes out of this is people blame others for calling evacuations, then that's wonderful," Mr Buelterman said.
Agencies contributed to this report
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