Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas on September 2, 2019 – US Coast Guard – Photo Courtesy of Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater

Images emerging out of the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, that hit the Caribbean island as a Category 5 storm that stalled and stayed for days on end over the weekend.

After packing top sustained winds over 185 mph with gusts over 200 mph, Dorian is now packing top sustained winds of 110 mph and moving northwest at 5 mph.

Officials confirmed that five people were killed on the Abaco Islands.

Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, has called the widespread devastation and flooding “a historic tragedy”. The deaths were confirmed at the north-easter Abaco Islands, which bore the brunt of the storm, he added.

The “life-threatening” storm finally started to move on Tuesday morning (September 3) after stalling over the Bahamas leaving vast portions of the area underwater in the midst of widespread devastation.

At least 13,000 homes were feared damaged or destroyed in the initial estimates in the wake of the storm. Photographs circulating today showed surging floodwaters, overturned cars, damaged boats and downed trees.

Storm surges in some areas saw raised water levels more than 20 feet above normal.

“The devastation is unprecedented and extensive,” said Mr Minnis.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) say Dorian is moving “dangerously close” to the east coast of Florida.

Evacuations have already been ordered in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.