“I believe the earth itself is groaning (Rom. 8:19-22) in anticipation of the Lord’s return. Part of this groaning includes floods, volcanoes, tidal waves, hurricanes, and earthquakes.”

-Jim Bakker in “Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse”

Hurricane Sandy is raging toward the eastern coast of the United States after leaving 29 dead and thousands without power and homes.

The storm has weakened to a category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph according to the National Hurricane Center. However, new forecast models have the storm on a much more likely path to strike the East Coast.

Florida is already under a tropical storm warning and the eastern coast and outlying islands are being pounded with high waves and winds.

“We’re looking for tropical-storm force winds along the coast,” said James Franklin, the NHC’s chief hurricane forecaster. “[There are] some very dangerous surf conditions over the next couple of days.” He emphasized the need to keep people away from the ocean.

Over 50,000 people have been evacuated from the Cuban city of Santiago de Cuba. There have been nine reported deaths so far in the city.

“The hurricane was very big,” Santiago resident Reinaldo Rivas told the BBC. “I have never seen anything like it in my 54 years.”

The current storm path has it striking the US mainland early next week. Officials are warning those in the path of the storm to be prepared to stock up on supplies in the event of power outages or downed trees blocking roadways.