Hurricane Fred hits Cape Verde islands - the farthest east a hurricane has ever been recorded

The last time a hurricane hit Cape Verde was way back in 1892

Hurricane Fred hit the islands of Cape Verde earlier today – the farthest east ever recorded in the tropical Atlantic.

Winds up to 85 mph struck the island nation, which lies off the west coast of Africa.

As the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a hurricane warning, predicting coasting flooding due to high winds, and heavy rain, the government on Cape Verde grounded all flights until further notice.

The NHC says the destructive weather pattern will run overnight into Tuesday.

The last time a hurricane hit Cape Verde was way back in 1892, the BBC reports, although that pre-dated satellite information so records are far less exact.

Right now, conditions are battering the north-eastern islands, but the hurricane could move to northern and north-western islands too if the storm maintains its course.

Residents have been told to prepare for flash flooding and mudslides. It is thought Hurricane Fred will weaken from tomorrow, however.