UPDATE: The Latest: Power outages reported as Joaquin lashes Bermuda
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS From Sun Herald
The Associated Press October 4, 2015

HAMILTON, BERMUDA — The latest on Hurricane Joaquin and the storm’s predicted path. (All times local):

6:20 p.m.

Emergency services have been placed on alert and officials in Bermuda are reporting scattered power outages as Hurricane Joaquin lashes the island with winds and pelting rain.

Residents of the mid-Atlantic British dependency have hunkered down at home after stocking up on gas and batteries as the Category 2 hurricane whipped the mid-Atlantic British territory. All flights to L.F. Wade International Airport were cancelled and ferry service was closed due to rough seas.

—

4:20 p.m.

Forecasters say the eye of Hurricane Joaquin is passing just west of Bermuda and tropical storm conditions continue on the island.

By late Sunday afternoon, sustained winds had dropped to 100 mph (155 kph) and forecasters described the storm’s eye as “ragged.” Still, it was expected to bring hurricane conditions and life-threatening storm surge to Bermuda Sunday evening when the eye passes closest to the island.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said isolated tornadoes were also possible.

2:15 p.m.

Forecasters say Hurricane Joaquin’s sustained winds have dropped to 105 mph (165 kph), making it a Category 2 storm.

It’s still expected to bring hurricane conditions and life-threatening storm surge to Bermuda later in the day when the storm’s center passes the island. U.S. forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say isolated tornadoes are also possible.

As the hurricane’s eye moves toward Bermuda, swells kicked up by the storm will continue to affect the Bahamas and the eastern coast of the U.S. about 600 miles (965 kilometers) away.

—

11 a.m.

Joaquin is weakening as it heads north. By late Sunday morning, forecasters said it was a powerful Category 3 storm with winds near 115 mph (185 kph). It is expected to bring hurricane conditions and life-threatening storm surges to Bermuda by the afternoon when the center passes near the island.

As the hurricane moves toward Bermuda, swells kicked up by the storm will continue to affect the Bahamas and the eastern coast of the United States.

—

9:30 a.m.

The island of Bermuda is preparing for an encounter with Hurricane Joaquin.

People on the British island territory on Sunday boarded up windows and stocked up on supplies as the storm moved toward the island as a Category 3 hurricane. Ferries and bus service were suspended, shelters were expected to open and emergency service agencies were on alert.

The Bermuda Weather Service reports that the island should start to feel tropical storm-force winds later Sunday. The center of Joaquin is expected to pass about 60 miles (97 kilometers) from the island on Monday.

The storm was 210 miles (340 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda on Sunday and has maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph). It is moving northeast at 21 mph (33 kph).

—

5 a.m.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says conditions on Bermuda have begun to deteriorate as Joaquin approaches on a northeastward path.

The Miami-based center says about 5 a.m. Saturday that a hurricane warning has been issued for Bermuda by that country’s weather service and damaging winds are expected later in the day.

Miami experts say the storm is a Category 4 hurricane centered about 250 miles (400 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda. It has sustained top winds of 120 mph (195 kph).

The center says hurricane force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 kilometers) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 kilometers).

—

2:15 a.m.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Joaquin remains an “extremely dangerous” storm heading on a northeastward forecast path toward Bermuda.

The Miami-based center says a hurricane warning has been issued for Bermuda by that country’s weather service.

Miami experts say the storm is a Category 4 hurricane centered about 320 miles (510 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda. It has sustained top winds of 125 mph (205 kph).

The center says tropical storm conditions should reach Bermuda by Sunday morning and hurricane conditions are expected by Sunday afternoon.

—

11 p.m.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Joaquin remains an “extremely dangerous” storm heading on a northeastward forecast path toward Bermuda.

The Miami-based center says a hurricane warning has been issued for Bermuda by that country’s weather service.

Miami experts say the storm is a Category 4 hurricane centered about 385 miles (620 kilometers) south of Bermuda. It has sustained top winds of 130 mph (215 kph).

The center says tropical storm conditions should reach Bermuda by Sunday morning and hurricane conditions are expected by Sunday afternoon.

—

8 p.m.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Joaquin continues to be a strong Category 4 hurricane as it moves northeastward toward Bermuda.

The storm is now centered about 455 miles (730 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda, moving toward the northeast at 17 mph (28 kph). Joaquin has maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (235 kph)

The Miami specialists say the forecast track indicates the eye of Joaquin should pass west of Bermuda on Sunday. But they caution any deviation in Joaquin’s path could bring the core of the hurricane and stronger winds closer to the island.

—

5 p.m.

Forecasters in Miami say Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 4 storm, is centered about 500 miles (805 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda and has top sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph).

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Joaquin is a severe hurricane and is moving northeast at 17 mph (28 kph).

A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch remain in effect for Bermuda. Tropical storm conditions are expected for Bermuda within the next 24 to 36 hours, the hurricane center says, adding hurricane conditions are also possible in the same period.

—

3 p.m.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Hurricane Joaquin has strengthened again into a Category 4 storm.

The hurricane had dropped to a Category 3 on Friday but was upgraded early Saturday afternoon with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph (250 mph), with higher gusts. A gradual weakening was expected later in the day.

The center said swells generated by Joaquin will continue to affect portions of the Bahamas over the next few days.

A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch were issued for Bermuda. Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach Bermuda by Sunday morning, with hurricane conditions possible later in the day.

—

12 p.m.

U.S. Coast Guard aircraft has resumed its search in the waters of the southeastern Bahamas for a cargo ship with 33 people on board that lost power and began taking on water after powerful Hurricane Joaquin struck.

Coast Guard officials dispatched planes and helicopters to the area with the storm now moving to the northeast away from the Bahamas.

The 735-foot (224-meter) El Faro was heading from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico when it was battered by 20- to 30-foot waves (up to 9-meter) as Joaquin was a Category 4 storm. It has since weakened to a Category 3.

—

5:20 a.m.

Joaquin (wa-KEEN) has sped up a bit as it moves away from the Bahamas, and remains a Category 3 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Joaquin was centered Saturday morning about 120 miles (175 kms) northeast of San Salvador, Bahamas, and about 700 miles (1,130 kms) southwest of Bermuda.

It has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), and is moving northeast at 13 mph (20 kph).

A hurricane warning is still in effect for parts of the Bahamas. The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch for Bermuda.

—

2:40 a.m.

Joaquin (wa-KEEN) has sped up a bit as it moves away from the Bahamas, and remains a Category 3 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Joaquin was centered early Saturday about 75 miles (120 kms) northeast of San Salvador, Bahamas, and about 745 miles (1,205 kms) southwest of Bermuda.

It has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), and is moving northeast at 10 mph (17 kph).

A hurricane warning is still in effect for parts of the Bahamas. The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch for Bermuda.
For more on this story go to: http://www.sunherald.com/2015/10/04/6448088_the-latest-hurricane-joaquin-menacing.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

Search continues for ship as Joaquin leaves trail of destruction in Bahamas and heads for Bermuda

From CARIBBEAN360 OCTOBER 4, 2015

THIS COMPOSITE PHOTO SHOWS SOME OF THE HOUSE DAMAGE AND FLOODING CAUSED BY HURRICANE JOAQUIN. (INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS TAKEN FROM THE NASSAU GUARDIAN)

NASSAU, Bahamas, Sunday October 4, 2015 – The search continues for a cargo ship with 33 people on board that went missing in the Bahamas as Hurricane Joaquin battered the islands with Category 4 strength winds and torrential rain – destroying houses, uprooting trees and unleashing heavy flooding. The massive storm is now taking aim at Bermuda.

A life ring from the US-flagged El Faro was the only thing that the US Coast Guard (USCG) found when they searched for the ship from dawn to night yesterday. It was about 120 miles northeast of Crooked Island – approximately 70 miles from El Faro’s last position before it lost contact on Thursday morning.

The Coast Guard had received a report that the 735-foot ship lost propulsion and was taking on water, but that the flooding had been contained. The ship, which was carrying 685 containers and 28 American and five Polish crew, was heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico from Jacksonville, Florida.

In a statement issued last night, the ship’s operator TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico said the discovery of the life ring, etched with markings from El Faro, reflects that the ship was caught in rough seas and extreme weather but is in no way indicative of the ship’s fate.

“In fact, it helps confirm the El Faro’s possible location and helps the USCG confirm the search areas. Small items such as life rings and life jackets are lost at sea frequently, particularly in rough weather,” it said.

“The US Coast Guard has been working tirelessly, allocating numerous air and surface assets to aid in the search.”

The Bahamas have been hit hard by Joaquin which brought 12 to 18 inches (and 25 inches in isolated spots) of rain and storm surges 2 to 4 feet above normal.

About 85 per cent of the homes in one settlement on Crooked Island was reportedly destroyed.

THE DAMAGE
• Rum Cay: Structural damages to an emergency shelter prompted immediate evacuation and relocation of 32 people. Reports of severe flooding, downed trees, impassable roads, downed power lines and poles, full power outage. Government dock reportedly destroyed and caving in of roofs on dwelling homes. Airport flooded.
• Acklins Island: Significant flooding in Delectable Bay, Snug Corner in the North and Mason’s Bay. Five houses were destroyed in Mason’s Bay and four in Snug Corner. Power outages, no injuries reported and all residents accounted for.
• Crooked Island and Long Cay: Initially communications was down. Upon partial restoration there was an indication revealed roof leaks in Government Clinic in Crooked Island.
• Long Island: Power outage due to downed lines; flooding of private fresh water wells; structural damages to homes; extreme flooding of approximately 4 feet of water in the Northern part of the island. Police station evacuated because of flooding.
• San Salvador: Flooding throughout the island; downed power lines and poles; roads impassable; 130 persons reported to shelters, one of which had its roof and door blown off. Resulted in relocation of persons within the in same facility. Communications a challenge.
• Mayaguana: Communication link exists but efforts continue to establish full capability. Minor damages to home structures other than loss of roofing shingles.
• Exuma: power lines down and extreme flooding.
On Saturday afternoon, Joaquin was almost at Category 5 strength, with maximum sustained winds around 155 miles per hour.

After pummeling parts of the central Bahamas for over 36 hours, Joaquin has now pulled away from the storm-battered islands.
A hurricane warning is now in effect for Bermuda, as the current forecast path takes the centre of the hurricane just west of Bermuda today. It is expected to be a Category 2 hurricane on its closest approach.

At 8 a.m., Joaquin was about 210 miles southwest of Bermuda and was moving towards the northeast at 21 miles per hour. It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour.

Joaquin is still a Category 3 hurricane and additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Tropical storm conditions are first expected to reach Bermuda later this morning, with hurricane conditions expected by this afternoon.

Joaquin, the 10th named storm of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to remain a hurricane over the next few days before transitioning in to a post tropical storm on Thursday.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/search-continues-for-ship-as-joaquin-leaves-trail-of-destruction-in-bahamas-and-heads-for-bermuda#ixzz3nfArCT9s

From CARIBBEAN360

NASSAU, Bahamas, Friday October 2, 2015 – An extremely dangerous Hurricane Joaquin has just about stalled over the central Bahamas, battering it with 130 mile per hour winds and torrential rain and causing flooding.

And Joaquin’s ferocious wind, rain and surf are expected to continue pummeling the area throughout today as the hurricane hovers over the archipelago for a second day.

Extensive flooding has already been reported, with up to three feet of water settling in some areas, and the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said rainfall totals could be as much as 25 inches in some areas.

According to reports from the Associated Press, water reached the windows of homes on Long Island and submerged the airport runway at Ragged Island.

Acklins Island has reportedly seen the most severe flooding.

Fortunately, there have so far been no reports of casualties.

The Category 4 hurricane is about 30 miles north northeast of Clarence in Long Island and is moving slowly northwestward at three miles per hour.

The NHC said Joaquin’s slow motion means that extremely dangerous conditions will continue over portions of the warning areas in the Bahamas today.

joaquin motion

“Joaquin is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 12 to 18 inches over the central Bahamas with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are expected over the southeastern Bahamas, with 2 to 4 inches over the northwestern Bahamas, eastern Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands,” it said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.

“A very dangerous and life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 12 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 remainder of the Bahamas within the hurricane warning area. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the NHC added, noting that swells generated by Joaquin will affect portions of the Bahamas during the next few days.

In addition to hurricane winds continuing across portions of the Bahamas through today, tropical storm conditions will affect the Turks and Caicos Islands today and tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of eastern Cuba through this morning.

Joaquin is expected to remain a powerful hurricane for the next several days, the NHC said, but would weaken eventually as moves over cooler waters and the wind shear increases further.

Forecast models continue to indicate a track offshore of the United States east coast from the Carolinas to the mid-Atlantic states, and the threat of direct impacts from Joaquin in those areas is decreasing.

However, there is still uncertainty in how close Joaquin could come to Bermuda, extreme southeastern New England/Cape Cod, and Nova Scotia during the next several days, and the NHC has advised interests in those areas to monitor the progress of the hurricane.

It added that a tropical storm or hurricane watch could be required for Bermuda later today.

Joaquin, the 10th named storm and third hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, underwent rapid intensification from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in less than 36 hours.

IMAGES:
FLOODING IN LONG ISLAND, BAHAMAS. (PHOTO FROM KEN BODNAR’S TWITTER PAGE)

For more on this story and video go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/severe-flooding-as-category-4-hurricane-joaquin-pounds-central-bahamas#ixzz3nXN5VAmu