SATELLITE image shows Category 4 hurricane ‘Dorian’ as it approaches Bahamas and Florida. AFP

ST. JOHN’S (AFP) — Residents in the Bahamas rushed to prepare as “extremely dangerous” hurricane “Dorian” barreled toward the island chain Friday, with government offices on lockdown and thousands told to evacuate their homes.

Currently a Category 4 storm, “Dorian” was packing winds near 130 miles per hour (215 kilometers per hour) by Friday evening and was expected to make landfall in the Bahamas — a major tourist destination — on Sunday.

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis issued an evacuation order for the Abaco Islands and parts of Grand Bahama, warning residents not to be “foolish” by trying to “brave out” the hurricane.

“The price you may pay for not evacuating is your life,” Minnis said.

Flights were being increased to enable residents to vacate the northwestern-lying isles, with more than 150 hurricane shelters, predominantly churches and schools, made available.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center warned that life-threatening storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 10 to 15 feet (three to 4.5 meters) above normal tide levels in the northwestern Bahamas.