‘Catastrophic’ Hurricane Dorian turns into category 5, NHC says

Hurricane Dorian has been elevated to a category 5 storm, the National Hurricane Center tweeted on Sunday morning.

“#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,” the tweet read.

Millions of residents along the Southeastern U.S. coast are on high alert amid warnings the storm would move northeast after battering the Bahamas, threatening Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

The NHC also issued a tropical storm warning for parts of Eastern Florida ⁠— north of the state’s Deerfield Beach to Sebastian Inlet ⁠— meaning tropical storm conditions are expected in the area generally within 36 hours.

“Interests elsewhere in southern and central Florida should continue to monitor the progress of Dorian. Additional watches or warnings may be required for portions of the east coast of Florida today,” the NHC said in a release. 

This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.