Tracking Hurricane Ian: Alert #7

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Residents on Bimini and Grand Bahama may experience near gale force winds as the dangerous eye wall of hurricane Ian is moving onshore the Florida Peninsula.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology issuing alert number 7 noting that a tropical storm warning remains in effect for the islands of Grand Bahama and Bimini.

At 11 am EDT, the center of hurricane Ian was located near latitude 26.3 degrees north and longitude 82.5 degrees west.

Hurricane Ian, now a category 4 hurricane, is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph.

“This general motion with a reduction in forward speed is forecast today, followed by a turn toward the northeast on Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move onshore within the hurricane warning area in a few hours, move over Central Florida tonight and Thursday morning and emerge over the western Atlantic by late Thursday,” the alert states.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 155 mph with higher gusts.

Ian is forecast to make landfall on the west coast of Florida as a catastrophic hurricane. Weakening is expected after landfall, but Ian could be near hurricane strength when it moves over the Florida east coast tomorrow.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center

And tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

The possibility of sustained tropical storm force winds, beginning this afternoon through to Thursday morning, still remains for residents in Grand Bahama and Bimini. Residents in the remainder of the northwest Bahamas, including Abaco, Berry Islands, Andros, New

Providence and Eleuthera, could experience winds gusting to gale force during the said period.

Rainbands associated with hurricane Ian will continue to affect the islands of the northwest Bahamas and portions of the central Bahamas through Thursday. Residents in these islands should exercise extreme caution as these rainbands will bring heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, gusty winds and possible tornadic activity.

Total rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches are expected with isolated amounts of up to 8 inches through Friday. As a result, severe localized flooding is possible in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

The next alert on hurricane Ian will be issued at 3pm EDT.