‘Extremely dangerous’ storm hits the US

Evacuations have been ordered as the US East Coast braces for Hurricane Florence – in what may be the strongest storm to hit the region in decades.

South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia all declared states of emergency yesterday, and residents are stocking up on essential supplies.

A hurricane hunter plane found Florence strengthening quickly, reaching top winds of 85mph on Sunday evening after crossing the 74mph threshold from tropical storm to a hurricane earlier in the day.

Forecasters said Florence is expected to become an “extremely dangerous major hurricane” and could last for days.

US president Donald Trump has cancelled plans for a rally on Friday in Mississippi because of the hurricane.

Yesterday morning, Florence was centred about 625 miles south-east of Bermuda, moving west at 9mph.

Drawing energy from the warm water, it could have top sustained winds of 130mph or more by today.