Torrential rains and tropical storm-force winds lashed central Florida’s east coast early this morning as a weakened Category 2 Hurricane Dorian moved north toward the eastern seaboard.

The 105 mph winds extend up to 175 miles from the eye of the storm, the National Hurricane Center reported.

Dorian is heading northeast at about eight miles an hour nearly parallel to the coast about 100 miles east of Daytona Beach.

A flood advisory was in effect for parts of Orange, Lake and Volusia counties this morning.

Officials urged over two million people in Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina to evacuate. Dorian is expected to come close to making landfall in Georgia and South Carolina tomorrow or Friday and could also reach North Carolina and southeastern Virginia by the end of the week.

Severe flooding is expected to occur even if the storm doesn’t make landfall.

The storm left more than 1,600 customers without power in Brevard County and Cocoa Beach this morning.

Dorian’s death toll rose to seven yesterday after the hurricane battered the Bahamas for two days.

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said the Category 5 Dorian was the worst hurricane to ever hit the Bahamas.

Around 45 percent of homes in Abaco and Grand Bahama were believed to be damaged or destroyed when the areas were pounded by 185 mph winds. The Grand Bahama Airport was under six feet of water yesterday.