'Devastating' 185 mph winds rip off roofs, overturn cars and tear down power lines, so far no loss of life reported; forecast to turn sharply toward the US coast but stay offshore

US National Hurricane Center reports 'catastrophic conditions' in archipelagic state, as storm surge forecasted to reach as high as 23 feet

US states on southeast seaboard brace for storm, which is expected to move northeastward after passing over the Bahamas