![\"Hurricane](\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/hurricane-sandy-e1351176459527.jpg\" "\\"NASA")
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Hurricane Sandy blasted across eastern Cuba on Thursday, increasing in intensity to a Category 2 Hurricane and is headed for the Bahamas after causing at least two deaths in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Sandy had emerged from Cuba’s northeast coast around dawn and was moving north at 18 mph (30 kph), with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 kph). It was expected to remain a hurricane as it moves through the Bahamas.<\/p>\n
Sandy is the 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The storm ravaged Cuba, knocking out power to over 5,000 people living on the Guantanamo Bay U.S. naval base. Officials there said it posed no threat to the 166 prisoners there.<\/p>\n
The U.S. hurricane centre said that Sandy would most likely remain at hurricane force as it passes over the Bahamas later Thursday.\u00a0 It could also bring tropical storm conditions along the southeastern Florida coast, the Upper Keys and Florida Bay by Friday morning.<\/p>\n
The hurricane centre said Sandy could produce a total of 6 to 12 inches of rainfall across Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba.<\/p>\n
“These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain,” the centre said.<\/p>\n
In The Bahamas, most airports are closed Thursday, as well as schools, government offices and many businesses.<\/p>\n
As Sandy bears down on The Bahamas Islands, it is likely to drop back down to a Category One Hurricane.<\/p>\n
Most airports throughout The Bahamas will close by 8:00am Thursday. They are not expected to reopen until Friday afternoon. LPIA is tentatively scheduled to reopen at 3:00pm Friday. Nassau’s Preclearance facilities are expected to be operational.<\/p>\n
On New Providence Island, the following district emergency shelters will be in operation:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Central District<\/strong><\/p>\n Church of God of Prophecy Calvary Bible Church Saint Barnabas Anglican Church Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Mount Pleasant Green Baptist Church Salvation Army Emergency Shelter Southern District<\/strong><\/p>\n New Bethlehem Baptist Church Calvary Deliverance Baptist Church Church of God of Prophecy Southwest Cathedral Church of God Golden Gates Assembly World Outreach Ministries Agape Full Gospel Baptist Church Western District<\/strong><\/p>\n Hillview Seventh Day Adventist Church Cathedral of Praise Church of God Church of God of Prophecy New Providence Community Center Mount Moriah Baptist Church Church of God Bahamas Association of the Physically Disabled Eastern District<\/strong><\/p>\n Holy Cross Anglican Church Kemp Road Union Baptist Church Epworth Hall at Shirley Street Church of God Auditorium Pilgrim Baptist Church Saint Mary\u2019s Hall at St. Augustine\u2019s College Anglican Church of the Epiphany Salvation Army
\nEast Street and Lilly of the Valley
\n(242) 322-8376<\/p>\n
\n62 Collins Avenue, Nassau
\n(242) 326-0800<\/p>\n
\nBlue Hill and Wulff roads
\n(242) 323-5995<\/p>\n
\nSt. Charles Vincent Street
\n(242) 322-8161<\/p>\n
\nEast and Quakoo streets
\n(242) 328-1769<\/p>\n
\nMeadow and West streets
\n(242) 323-5608<\/p>\n
\nIndependence Drive
\n(242) 341-8432<\/p>\n
\nEast Street South
\n(242) 325-1802\/323-3135<\/p>\n
\nGambier Village
\n(242) 322-3097\/322-3241<\/p>\n
\nCarmichael Road
\n(242) 341-2601<\/p>\n
\nCarmichael Road
\n(242) 361-3347<\/p>\n
\nGolden Palm Estates
\n(242) 328-6937<\/p>\n
\nTonique Williams-Darling Highway
\n(242) 361-8683<\/p>\n
\nMount Pleasant Village
\n(242) 362-5175<\/p>\n
\nGambier Village
\n(242) 322-3097\/322-3241<\/p>\n
\nBlake Road and JFK Drive
\n(242) 327-1660<\/p>\n
\nFarrington Road
\n(242) 323-1747<\/p>\n
\nGreater Chippingham Eden Street
\n(off Farrington Road)
\n(242) 324-2582<\/p>\n
\nDolphin Drive
\n(242)322-2393\/328-1020<\/p>\n
\nSoldier Road at Highbury Park
\n(242) 393-2428<\/p>\n
\nKemp Road
\n(242) 393-5932<\/p>\n
\nSt. James Road
\n(242) 393-7398<\/p>\n
\nJoe Farrington Road
\n(242) 393-3644<\/p>\n
\nBernard Road
\n(242) 324-1511<\/p>\n
\nPrince Charles Drive and Elizabeth Estates<\/p>\n
\n31 Mackey Street
\n(242) 393-2340
\n(242) 393-2745
\n(242) 393-2100<\/p>\n