Hurricane Dorian has pounded the northernmost islands of the Bahamas with winds gusting to more than 355kmh, ripping roofs off buildings and causing severe flooding.
Social media footage showed roads littered in twisted metal and splintered wood, and apartment complexes completely underwater.
The National Hurricane Centre warned of storm surges that could reach 18ft to 23ft above normal levels.
The category 5 storm forced Georgia and Carolina to issue evacuation orders for their coastal communities on Sunday night.
It was still unclear if there were casualties.

Trump says US needs to own Greenland to deter Russia, China
Kyiv scrambles to repair ruined power grid after Russian attack
Swiss prosecutors summon owners of ski resort bar after deadly blaze
Death toll in Philippines landfill collapse rises to 4
Australian bushfires raze homes, cut power to tens of thousands