Bahamas: Hurricane Dorian strengthens to Category 5 storm September 1 /update 3

Event

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Hurricane Dorian has intensified to a Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale as of 11:00 (local time) on Sunday September 1. Dorian is set to become the strongest hurricane in modern records to strike the northwestern Bahamas, inflicting "catastrophic conditions" on the Abacos Islands. Airports in the Abaco Islands, Grand Bahama, and Bimini have suspended operations but Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport (NSA) remains open as of Sunday afternoon (local time). Dorian is forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge, devastating hurricane-force winds, and heavy rains capable of life-threatening flash floods to the region from Sunday, September 1, through Monday, September 2. Power and water outages have been reported across the islands as of Sunday afternoon, and further transportation, business, and power disruptions are anticipated in the region in the coming days.

As of 11:00 on Sunday, Dorian is located approximately 26.5°N 76.8°W (map here) and is tracking west at 11 kph (7 mph). The eye of the storm is forecast to move over Great Abaco Sunday afternoon, before moving near or over Grand Bahama Island Sunday evening. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 285 kph (180 mph) and may bring 30-60 cm (12-24 in) of rainfall in some areas.  

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm flight reservations, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate adverse weather and power and transportation disruptions, and remember that running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and never drive through flooded streets; floodwater may also contain wastewater and chemical products.