Hurricane Irene will continue to roar towards Nassau, as it begins it destructive path through the Southern Bahamas later today.
Currently a Category 2 hurricane, the rapidly intensifying Irene is likely to become a major Category 3 hurricane later today. By Thursday as it roars toward the U.S. coast over warm open waters, it could become a Category 4 with winds of 131 mph (210 kph) or more, according to forecasters.
For now, the first Atlantic hurricane of the season had maximum sustained winds early Tuesday around 100 mph (160 kph) and was centered about 50 miles (85 kilometers) northeast of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. The hurricane was moving west-northwest near 12 mph (19 kph) and could hit Nassau sometime on Thursday, before heading to the United States.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the Southeast Bahamas which includes Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked and Acklins Island, Ragged Island, and also for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
A hurricane watch is in effect for the Central Bahamas which includes the islands of Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Cat Island, Exuma and its cays.
Formerly a tropical storm, Irene strengthened over Puerto Rico with winds up to 70mph, becoming the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic season.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the affected islands within 48 hours.
A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours.
Bahamians are stocking up on bottled water and plywood. And Hurricane Irene is one of the main topics on Twitter, with many users sharing updates on the storm’s progress while others hoped it wouldn’t come their way.
The storm slashed directly across Puerto Rico, tearing up trees and knocking out power to more than a million people. It then headed out to sea, north of the Dominican Republic, where the powerful storm’s outer bands were buffeting the north coast with dangerous sea surge and downpours.
Irene was forecast to pass over or near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas by Tuesday night and be near the central Bahamas early Wednesday.
