by Brian Major
Last updated: 12:33 PM ET, Wed September 30, 2015
Photo via Twitter/BMcNoldy
Now a Category One storm, Hurricane Joaquin is strengthening as it moves toward the central Bahamas. As of Wednesday morning, Joaquin is located 215 miles northeast of the Bahamas, packing sustained winds of 80 miles per hour with higher gusts, according to a National Hurricane Center (NHC) public advisory.
The advisory warns that Joaquin is expected to strengthen further and could become a major hurricane. A hurricane warning is in effect for the central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. A hurricane watch is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas including the Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island and New Providence, excluding Andros Island.
NHC advises residents that "preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion." Joaquin is expected to turn northwest and decrease in forward speed Thursday or Thursday night, moving near or over portions of the central Bahamas Thursday. Officials expect the territory to experience hurricane conditions by noon on Thursday.
Storm surges - including water levels as high as four feet above normal tides - are possible on Bahamian coasts according to the advisory. Joaquin is also expected to dump five to 10 inches of rain over the central Bahamas, with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches possible over San Salvador and Rum Cay through Friday.
Rainfall amounts of three to five inches are possible over the southeastern Bahamas through Friday night, and two to four inches are expected over the northwestern Bahamas.
Ironically, certain guests at one Bahamas resort stand to benefit from NHC's official naming of Joaquin as a 2015 storm. Nassau's Breezes Resort & Spa - Bahamas is offering a $100 discount to all guests whose names appear on the 2015 NHC list of storms.
Travelers who book five or more nights at the Nassau Breezes property by November 30 and happen to share a name of a hurricane from this year are eligible to receive the $100 discount.
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