LIVE UPDATES: Rubio, Scott say Bahamian officials must be specific in requests for aid

ABACO, Bahamas — Hurricane Dorian decimated parts of the Bahamas. Read live updates on the recovery below:

6 p.m. Friday update:

Florida's U.S. senators said Bahamian authorities need to make specific requests to the U.S. government-run aid agency before the U.S. Department of Defense can assist the Bahamas with Hurricane Dorian relief efforts.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said Friday that he had spoken to Bahamian authorities and believes the request to the U.S. Agency for International Development may be sent soon.

Scott and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio flew with the U.S. Coast Guard to the Bahamas Friday along with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to survey the damage.

Rubio said part of the holdup has been the slow assessment of what is needed.

He said that the passing of the storm "will free up some northern command assets."

2:30 p.m. Friday update:

The United Nations said it is providing 1,000 tarps to replace roofs stripped from homes by Hurricane Dorian on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama

A U.N. spokesman said search and rescue operations remain the priority.

He said that after everyone has been rescued and the wounded are safely evacuated, the agency will focus on providing temporary shelter for those who lost their homes.

The spokesman said the World Health Organization reports it is focusing on providing clinical care, food supplies, safe drinking water and sanitation to survivors.

Officials said 30 people have been confirmed dead in the Bahamas, but the toll is sure to rise.

12:30 p.m. Friday update:

Channel 9 reporter Lauren Seabrook posted satellite imagery of the full cycle of Hurricane Dorian on Facebook. Watch it below:

10:30 a.m. Friday update:

Bahamian health minister Duane Sands said least 30 people died in the hurricane and the number could be "significantly higher."

He said the victims are from Abaco and Grand Bahama islands and include some who had been injured and flown to New Providence island.

The hurricane hit Abaco on Sunday and hovered over Grand Bahama for a day and a half.

The Bahamian health ministry said helicopters and boats are on the way to help people in need but warned of delays because of severe flooding and limited access.

Emergency officials have fanned out across stricken areas to track down people who were missing or in distress. Crews began clearing streets and setting up aid distribution centers.

Read: 'Raging river' kills 113 animals at Bahamas shelter

The United Nations said it has purchased eight tons of ready-to-eat meals and will provide satellite communications equipment and airlift storage units, generators and prefab offices to set up logistics hubs.

U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said about 70,000 people "are in immediate need of life-saving assistance" on Grand Bahama and Abaco.

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