Irene Now A Category Two Hurricane
MIAMI (CBS4) – Hurricane Irene has strengthened to a category two hurricane as it churns toward the Bahamas.
At 8 p.m., Hurricane Irene was about 165 miles southeast of Grand Turk Island. Irene was packing sustained winds of 100 miles per hour with some higher gusts.
Hurricane force winds extend 30 miles from Irene's center, tropical storm winds extend outward 185 miles.
Irene was moving to the West-Northwest at roughly 12 mph.
The National Hurricane center is reporting that Hurricane Irene is expected to move toward the west-northwest with a slight increase in forward speed tonight and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the core of Irene will move just to the north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti tonight, near or over the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas on Tuesday, and near the central Bahamas early Wednesday.
As a Category 1 hurricane, Irene caused widespread tree and powerline damage throughout Puerto Rico, more than a million homes are without power.
The most significant issue for South Florida, according to CBS4 meteorologist Craig Setzer involves when Irene makes a solid turn to the Northwest and eventually North.
If Irene makes progress too far to the West through Wednesday before turning, we will likely feel the full impact from Irene. If Irene turns sooner, or reforms to the North, it will more likely pass just East of South Florida.
At this point it is too early to tell what the exact track will be, but the odds favor at least tropical storm force winds over South Florida arriving Thursday and extending up the Florida coast.
WARNINGS AND WATCHES
The following watches and warnings have been issued:
- HURRICANE WARNING for the North coast of the Dominican Republic from the Haiti border to Cabo Engano
- HURRICANE WARNING for the Southeastern and Central Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos
- HURRICANE WATCH for the North coast of Haiti from Le Mole St. Nicholas East to the Dominican Republic Border
- HURRICANE WATCH for the Northwestern Bahamas
- TROPICAL STORM WARNING for the South coast of the Dominican Republic from Santo Domingo East to Cabo Engano and all of Haiti
Irene's Destruction In Puerto Rico
The National Hurricane Center said rainfall accumulations of up to 5-10 inches are possible for the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos. In addition, a storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 5-8 feet above normal tide in the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos, and up to 7-11 feet above normal tide levels in the central Bahamas.
Hurricane conditions are possible over the northern portions of the Dominican Republic later Monday. Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Tuesday and the central Bahamas by late Tuesday.
While the forecast could change considerably over the next 5 days, it's a good time to review your hurricane plan if you've not yet done so, check on hurricane supplies on-hand, and keep a watchful eye on Irene's progress.
- You can get complete details on the storm, including up-to date maps and forecasts, at the CBSMiami Tropical Weather Center.
- You can also check on preps for tropical weather with checklists, shutter advice, and even preparation videos at CBSMiami Hurricane Preps
