Statement #5—Update on Hurricane Nicole & The Islands of The Bahamas

NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) continues to track the progress of Hurricane Nicole, which is currently moving toward the west near 13 miles per hour, bringing a dangerous storm surge and strong winds to Grand Bahama and continuing tropical storm conditions across the Northwest Bahamas.

As of 6:00 PM, a hurricane warning remains in effect for the islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco and The Berry Islands. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the island of Bimini. All islands in the Central Bahamas have received the All Clear.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 miles per hour with higher gusts and tropical storm-force winds extending outward up to 485 miles from the centre. On the forecast track, Hurricane Nicole will continue to move away from the island of Grand Bahama and onshore to the East Coast of Florida tonight. As of 5:00 PM EST, the centre of Tropical Storm Nicole was located about:

· 50 miles east of Freeport, Grand Bahama

· 105 miles north northwest of New Providence

· 100 miles northeast of Alice Town, Bimini

The following airports remain closed until Thursday, 10 November subject to clearance from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology:

· Andros: San Andros Airport (SAQ) (MYAN)

· Abaco: Treasure Cay Airport (TCB) (MYAT)

· Abaco: Leonard M. Thompson International Airport (MHH) (MYAM)

· Abaco: Sandy Point Airport (YAS) (MYAS)

· Abaco: Moorse Island Airport (MYAO)

· The Berry Islands: Great Harbour Cay Airport (GHC) (MYBG)

· Bimini: South Bimini Airport (BIM) (MYBG)

· Grand Bahama: Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) (MYGF)

· Eleuthera: Rock Sound Airport (RSD) (MYER)

· Eleuthera: Governor’s Harbour Airport (GHB) (MYEM)

· Eleuthera: North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) (MYEH)

New Providence is expected to remain clear from the storm and, thus, is open for business. Residents and visitors are advised to check directly with airlines and hotels regarding possible impacts on travel plans. Conditions will continue to be assessed and updated accordingly based on storm progress and in coordination with information from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

The Bahamas is an archipelago with more than 700 islands and cays, spread over 100,000 square miles; there could be a tropical storm or hurricane warning for parts of the country while other parts remain unaffected.

The BMOTIA continues to monitor Tropical Storm Nicole and will provide updates at www.bahamas.com. For further information visit www.nhc.noaa.gov.

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