November 8, 2022
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology advised residents to pay close attention to a developing system near the southeast Bahamas that could strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday.
Regardless of the exact track, officials underscore the risk of widespread impacts from coastal flooding, large sea swells, gale-force winds, heavy rainfall, rough surf, rip currents, and beach erosion along portions of the northwest and central Bahamas beginning in the early to middle of this week.
According to the National Hurricane Centre, a tropical storm watch is in effect this morning for the northwestern Bahamas, including Andros Island, New Providence, Eleuthera, Abacos Islands, Berry Islands, Grand Bahama, and Bimini.
Shezelle Mather, a forecaster at The Bahamas Department of Meteorology, urged people to pay close attention to the system.
“It could bring some strong gusty winds to the northwest and central islands and you’re looking at some showers and thunderstorms across the central and southeast Bahamas,” she said.
“If it does develop into a tropical system or disturbance and then after that it would be determined what kind of impact we’re likely to have.”
She added, “We encourage all Bahamians to pay close attention to the system.”
Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper urged residents in low lying areas and those in compromised structures to evacuate.
He said law enforcement officials will be providing evacuation assistance before the storm, but stressed that once conditions deteriorate, emergency responders will be “constrained” to provide help until the all clear is given.
Forecasters predict the storm will pass directly over Grand Bahama, with Abaco poised to feel harsh impacts of the system as well. The two islands are still reeling from the devastation Hurricane Dorian brought in 2019.
Nicole is expected to strengthen into category one hurricane by Wednesday, however last night a Department of Meteorology forecaster said the storm should be out of the country and in the vicinity of Florida at that point.