Category 3 strength Hurricane Joaquin has started pounding the central Bahamas after intensifying quickly overnight. And it is forecast it could reach Category 4 strength later in the day.
Residents are feeling the effects as Joaquin’s eye approaches Samana Cays in the central Bahamas and moving toward Rum Cay and San Salvador. Part of the eye may also affect Crooked Island and Long Island (Bahamas).
At 8 a.m., Hurricane Joaquin, carrying maximum sustained winds near 120 miles per hour, was 10 miles north of Samana Cays, Bahamas and 75 miles southeast of San Salvador, Bahamas, and moving toward the west southwest at five miles per hour. Forecasters say that with the hurricane passing close to the islands at a relatively slow speed, and perhaps even intensifying, a catastrophic situation may unfold. “The slow motion of Joaquin will mean a prolonged period of hurricane conditions in portions of the central Bahamas, along with very heavy rain and storm surge,” the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the centre and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles. A hurricane warning, a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning are in effect for various parts of the archipelago.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for
- Central Bahamas
- Northwestern Bahamas including the Abacos, Berry Islands, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence
- Acklins, Crooked Island, and Mayaguana in the southeastern Bahamas
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for
- Bimini
- Andros Island
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for
- Southeastern Bahamas excluding the Turks and Caicos Islands
- Andros Island
“Hurricane conditions are expected to continue in portions of the central Bahamas through Friday. Hurricane conditions are expected over portions of the northwestern Bahamas on Friday. Tropical storm conditions will affect portions of the southeastern Bahamas through tonight,” the NHC said.
Joaquin is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches over the central Bahamas with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches are possible.
Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are expected over the southeastern Bahamas with 2 to 4 inches over the northwestern Bahamas. This could result in life-threatening flash floods.
According to the NHC, a dangerous storm surge will also raise water levels by as much as 5 to 8 feet above normal tide levels in the central Bahamas in areas of onshore flow. A storm surge of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels is expected in the northwest Bahamas within the hurricane warning area, and 1 to 2 feet is expected in the southeast Bahamas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Swells generated by Joaquin will affect portions of the Bahamas during the next few days, and will begin to affect portions of the southeastern coast of the United States today and spread northward through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, the NHC said.
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