Dorian closes in on Bahamas as Category 5 storm

Devastating hurricane conditions are expected in the Abaco Islands early on Sunday and across Grand Bahama later in the day

Abaco: Hurricane Dorian intensified on Sunday closed on the northern Bahamas, threatening to batter islands with Category 5-strength winds, pounding waves and torrential rain as people hunkered down in schools, churches and other shelters.

The National Hurricane Centre in Miami said Dorian's maximum sustained winds have increased to 175 mph (280 kph), up from 160 mph (260 kph). It is moving west at 8 mph (13 kph).

Devastating hurricane conditions are expected in the Abaco Islands early on Sunday and across Grand Bahama later in the day, the centre said.

Millions from Florida to the Carolinas kept a wary eye on Dorian, meanwhile, amid indications it would veer sharply northeastward after passing the Bahamas and track up the US Southeast seaboard.

But authorities warned even if its core did not make US landfall and stayed offshore, the potent storm would likely hammer US coastal areas with powerful winds and heavy surf.

In the northern stretches of the Bahamas archipelago, hotels closed, residents boarded up homes and officials hired boats to move people from low-lying areas to bigger islands as Dorian approached.

Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis warned that Dorian is a "dangerous storm" and said any "who do not evacuate are placing themselves in extreme danger and can expect a catastrophic consequence."