Hurricane Dorian in Bahamas

Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas on 1 September as a Category 5 storm bringing strong wind speeds of 185mph and heavy rainfall. At least 20 people have been killed with many more missing, injured and displaced.

The Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, in the north of the archipelago were battered by the storm for 2 days which decimated whole areas, leaving houses without roofs, scattered debris and flooding as up to 35 inches of rain fell.

The International Red Cross estimated 45% of homes (13,000) on Grand Bahama and the Abacos have been destroyed. Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis described the storm as a "historic tragedy" for the archipelago.

Rescue teams reached the worst affected areas areas of the northern Bahamas to begin search, rescue and recovery. UN officials reported 60,000 people will require food aid and clean water.

After battering the Bahamas, Dorian moved north towards the east coast of the USA, still carrying wind speeds of 115 mph. South Carolina is preparing for a record storm surge as Dorian is expected to make landfall on 6 September.

Related News and Resources

• Products published by Copernicus EMS
• Hurricane Dorian case study (EUMETSAT)
• NASA's ARIA Team Maps Flooding in the Bahamas
• Satellite detected building damage overview - Northern Bahamian Islands