Bahamas death toll rises to 7 as Hurricane Dorian heads for Florida

At least seven people have died after Hurricane Dorian smashed parts of the Bahamas to ruins, before smashing into Florida's east coast

Aerial footage from Bahamas' Great Abaco Island showed flooded neighbourhoods, pulverized buildings and upturned boats.

Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told reporters that Dorian was "one of the greatest national crises in our country's history".

"We can expect more deaths to be recorded. This is just preliminary information," he said, adding that the weather has made it impossible for relief agencies to get through.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for South Carolina, freeing funds, other federal resources and manpower to assist during the storm.