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THE BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Department of Meteorology (BDM) on Friday warned residents of four islands in the Bahamas archipelago to stay indoors and seek appropriate shelter as the country prepares for the passage of a possible tropical storm over the weekend.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that an area of low pressure is expected to form near the Bahamas during the next 24 hours and the BDM said that islands that would be mostly affected are Ackling, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.
The Bahamas is recovering from the passage of the Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm last September that killed more than 70 people and caused damage estimated at US$3.5 billion. The 2020 Hurricane season begins on June 1.
The NHC said the area of low pressure may become a tropical storm or a subtropical storm, by late tonight or Saturday, near the northwestern Bahamas.
“This weather system is expected to move generally northeastward, in the western Atlantic Ocean, later in the weekend and early in the next week. Expect periods of heavy rainfall in parts of the
Florida Keys, southeastern Florida, and in the Bahamas, through Saturday.”
The NHC said wind gusts to gale force are possible in heavier showers during the next day or two. Hazardous marine conditions are expected along the Florida east coast and in the Bahamas.
The BDM said that thunderstorms will be strong and severe at times causing “strong gusty winds, dangerous lightening, heavy downpours, hail and possible waterspout or tornado activity.
“Boaters in the warning areas should seek safe harbour and residents in the warning areas should stay indoors and away from windows when the conditions worsen,” the BDM added.
