The Bahamas is under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning as forecasters expect the 2005 hurricane season’s newest tropical storm, Rita, to evolve into the year’s 18th hurricane.
Tropical Depression Number 18; now Tropical Storm Rita, was projected to become Hurricane Rita within the next two days and the Meteorological department issued a Strong warning that those living in the southesatern and central Bahamas, should complete all necessary preparations for tropical storm conditions.
Rainfall
Heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms were expected in the southeastern Bahamas yesterday as the storm was expected to dump a maximum of eight inches of rain on the island.
Tropical Storm warnings are in effect for Exuam Cat Island, Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Ragged Island, Crooked Island, Acklins, Mayaguana and Inagua. These islands may experience tropical storm conditions within 24 hours.
A hurricane watch was put into effect for Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Andros, New Providence and Eleuthera. These Islands may experience hurricane conditions in the next 36 hours. At 11 am on Sunday, tropical depression number 18 was 390 miles east-southwest of Nassau. A hurricane watch has been issued for the northwest Bahamas.
For the islands of Grand Bahama, The Abacos, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Andros, New Providence and Eleuthera, the Meteorological office said that hurricane conditions could be experienced in 36 hours.
The devastating hurricane Katrina also formed as a tropical depression east of the Bahamas.
If Tropical Depression Number l8 develops into a hurricane, it could be the ninth hurricane of the year. It also would be the 18th named storm.
Meteorologist Neil Armstrong at the Bahamas Meteorological Department, told The Tribune that the depression is not expected to become a hurricane until it moves into the Florida Straits.
The warning, he said, was issued primarily because of the country’s proximity to the storm and because the system is showing signs of development.
“It does not mean that we will have a hurricane in the Bahamas but because of its proximity it is something we definitely need to be watching,” he said.
The system was expected to move south of the Florida mainland because of a ridge of high pressure north of it, pushing it to the west.
On Sunday, the National Hurricane Centre also was monitoring Tropical Storm Philippe, which was about 425 miles eastsoutheast of the Leeward Islands. It was forecast to build into the eighth hurricane of the season within the next day and aim north into the Atlantic without threatening the US coastline.
By RUPERT Missick Jr Chief Reporter
The Tribune – Nassau, Bahamas
