Category 5 storm

Bahamas slammed by category five storm

The "extremely dangerous" storm is the strongest hurricane on modern record in the area, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.

Grand Bahama residents have been evacuating from its predicted path.

A storm surge could be life-threatening and as high as 23ft (7m) in places, officials warn.

The storm made landfall at 12:40 (16:40 GMT) on Elbow Cay in the Abaco islands, northern Bahamas, the NHC said.

Local residents posted footage showing floodwaters engulfing some homes, their rooftops blown off.