Hurricane Dorian has been upgraded to Category 5 - the highest category.
It comes as hotels have been boarded up and families have evacuated their homes as it closes in on the Bahamas.
NEW: #Dorian is now a category 5 #hurricane with 160 mph sustained winds. The eyewall of this catastrophic hurricane is about to hit the Abaco Islands with devastating winds. Next advisory: https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/oFspgN0XbT
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 1, 2019
The hurricane now has sustained winds of up to 260km/h and brings with it the possibility of "catastrophic" damage.
US President Donald Trump told reporters a determination on whether to order evacuations on the US east coast will be made later today.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of the Florida coast - with forecasters saying dangerous storm surge and winds are still possible on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Officials have previously said the risk has also increased along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina
Meanwhile, Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis is appealing to people on the affected islands to "get out of harm's way" ahead of an expected direct hit:
1/2 Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis made a final and urgent appeal to residents of islands in the direct path of Hurricane Dorian to evacuate vulnerable areas, particularly the northern cays of Abaco and low-lying portions of Grand Bahama. pic.twitter.com/tpmtOSRMgd
— Office of The Prime Minister The Bahamas (@opmthebahamas) August 31, 2019
