Hurricane Joaquin begins hammering central Bahamas

By Michelle Nurse Last updated Oct 2, 2015

NASSAU, Bahamas – 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.