“There are a number of possible reasons for the loss of communications among them the increasing severity of Hurricane Joaquin”, Nolan said in a statement.
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Joaquin was passing over several islands in the Bahamas on Friday morning, causing infrastructure damage and severe flooding throughout affected regions. Forecasters shifted its likely path farther away from the U.S. East Coast. A total of 2.7 inches of rain has fallen since Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service station in Edgartown.
Fedor said there were 20- to 30-foot (up to 9-meter) waves in the area, and that heavy winds could have destroyed the ship’s communications equipment.
“Those areas should continue to monitor the progress of the hurricane”, the hurricane center said.
Perhaps the only good news is that the hurricane is not expected to directly touch the US mainland as it marches northerly over the open Atlantic. The storm could also bring flash flooding and storm swells. “God controls the storm”.
Maximum sustained winds are near 130 miles per hour, with higher gusts.
Joaquin’s hurricane-force winds, which extended 80 km from its centre, were forecast to miss the larger Bahamas islands and the main cities and cruise ship ports of Freeport and Nassau. The storm has started a turn to the northwest and a north, then a northeast track is expected, bypassing Southern New England.
As of Friday, the hurricane was projected to bypass the East Coast, but heavy rains and potential flooding are expected over the weekend.
“We’re going to go and try and save lives”.
In those same areas of the United States, people should prepare for “minor to moderate coastal flooding” this weekend, even if Joaquin stays offshore, the National Hurricane Center stated Friday.
Hurricane Joaquin continues to batter the Bahamas for a second day.
Bahamian newspapers report widespread flooding in the southeastern islands, including Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. “All schools have been closed in The Bahamas”. Cuba’s government issued a tropical storm warning for the provinces of Camaguey, Los Tunas, Holguin, and Guantanamo. A small craft advisory is in effect for the Treasure Coast and the Keys. Squally weather can be expected over Cuba as well as the northern Caribbean. “We’ve already seen flooding in many parts of South Carolina, these storm systems could make conditions worse”.
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The C-130’s, which usually fly at an altitude of 10,000 feet, are now flying much lower than the Hurricane Hunter aircraft usually fly.
