Alert #25 on Hurricane Isaias

Tropical storm conditions and heavy rains continue to spread across the central Bahamas. 

 

Hurricane warning remains in effect for the northeast and central Bahamas. This includes the islands of Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Bimini and the Berry Islands including the neighbouring Cays, Exuma, Cat Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and Long Island. 

 

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are being experienced or could be experienced somewhere in the warning area within 36 hours. 

 

At 6 pm EDT, the center of Isaias was located near latitude 22.9 degrees north and longitude 75.9 degrees west or about 60 miles west-southwest of Georgetown, Exuma or 140 miles southeast of Congo Town, South Andros and 300 miles southeast of Freeport, Grand Bahama and 175 miles southeast of New Providence.

 

Isaias is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph, and a general northwestward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected for the next day or so followed by a turn toward the north-northwest late on Sunday. 

 

On the forecast track, the center of Isaias will continue to move into the central Bahamas tonight, and move over the northwest Bahamas Saturday and near the east coast of the Florida peninsula Saturday afternoon through Sunday. The center of Isaias is forecast to move over north Andros early Saturday morning while impacting New Providence with strong tropical storm force winds and severe thunderstorms. 

 

Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected later tonight and early Saturday. Isaias is forecast to remain a hurricane for the next few days.

 

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. 

 

A storm surge of 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels can be expected along coastal areas throughout the Bahamas.

 

Strong tropical storm force winds are now being experienced in Long Island and Exuma and will begin to subside at about 10 pm tonight. Andros and New Providence will experience tropical storm to hurricane force on Saturday morning. 

 

Localized flooding is expected throughout the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands as Isaias is forecast to produce rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches.

 

Residents in the northwest and central Bahamas should rush to complete all preparations to mitigate damages and secure all loose items around their property. Residents are strongly advised to remain indoors while experiencing hurricane and tropical storm force winds. Tornadic activities are possible in severe thunderstorms. 

 

Small craft in the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos should seek safe harbour and remain in port due to dangerous swells ahead, during and after the passage of Isaias. Residents are urged to follow all advice given in alert messages. The next alert on hurricane Isaias will be issued at 9 pm EDT Friday 31 July, 2020. 

 

Issued by: Jeffrey Simmons