Even though Joaquin is now unlikely to make landfall in the US, Accuweather’s Sosnowski said, “People should not let their guard down due to a shifting track of the hurricane as the risk to lives and property in this complex situation remains high”.
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While the hurricane hovered over the eastern Bahamas Thursday, there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths. The animation shows rain rates and cloud heights just before the storm built into a hurricane.
· The Category 4 storm is now hammering the central Bahamas with hurricane-force winds, storm surge flooding, and torrential rain, according to The Weather Channel. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency on Thursday morning. [Amazing Hurricane Photos From Space].
Hurricane Joaquin is the first Category 4 storm to track through the Bahamas in October since 1866.
Joaquin was a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph) and hurricane strength winds extending 35 miles (55 kilometers) from the eye early Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.
“We are becoming optimistic that the Carolinas and the mid-Atlantic states will avoid direct effects from Joaquin“, forecasters wrote. The leading edge of Joaquin, whether it turns east or not, could still drop significant amounts of rain, and may prompt “minor to moderate coastal flooding” in Northeastern states.
Hurricane Joaquin has brought heavy rains and winds to parts of the Bahamas after it was reclassified up to the second strongest type of storm.
However, the National Hurricane Center noted that there still is large degree of uncertainty in the forecast path, particularly as it approaches the Northeast. A Hurricane Watch continues for Bimini and Andros Island.
Further information gathered from Hurricane Joaquin later Thursday should provide more information for a model of where the hurricane is heading to next, Lee said. On the forecast track, the center of Joaquin will move near or over portions of the central Bahamas overnight and pass near or over portions of the Northwest Bahamas on Friday.
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GENERAL FORECAST FOR JOAQUIN: Warm water and light wind shear will likely allow Joaquin to strengthen a little more through Friday.
