Hurricane Joaquin upgraded to Category 4
MIAMI >> The latest on Joaquin and the storm’s predicted path. All times Eastern:
5 p.m.
Forecasters in Miami say Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 4 storm, is centered about 500 miles (805 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda and has top sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph).
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Joaquin is a severe hurricane and is moving northeast at 17 mph (28 kph).
A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch remain in effect for Bermuda. Tropical storm conditions are expected for Bermuda within the next 24 to 36 hours, the hurricane center says, adding hurricane conditions are also possible in the same period.
3 p.m.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Hurricane Joaquin has strengthened again into a Category 4 storm.
The hurricane had dropped to a Category 3 on Friday but was upgraded early Saturday afternoon with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph (250 mph), with higher gusts. A gradual weakening was expected later in the day.
The center said swells generated by Joaquin will continue to affect portions of the Bahamas over the next few days.
A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch were issued for Bermuda. Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach Bermuda by Sunday morning, with hurricane conditions possible later in the day.
___
12 p.m.
U.S. Coast Guard aircraft has resumed its search in the waters of the southeastern Bahamas for a cargo ship with 33 people on board that lost power and began taking on water after powerful Hurricane Joaquin struck.
Coast Guard officials dispatched planes and helicopters to the area with the storm now moving to the northeast away from the Bahamas.
The 735-foot (224-meter) El Faro was heading from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico when it was battered by 20- to 30-foot waves (up to 9-meter) as Joaquin was a Category 4 storm. It has since weakened to a Category 3.
___
5:20 a.m.
Joaquin has sped up a bit as it moves away from the Bahamas, and remains a Category 3 hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Joaquin was centered Saturday morning about 120 miles (175 kms) northeast of San Salvador, Bahamas, and about 700 miles (1,130 kms) southwest of Bermuda.
It has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), and is moving northeast at 13 mph (20 kph).
A hurricane warning is still in effect for parts of the Bahamas. The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch for Bermuda.
___
2:40 a.m.
Joaquin has sped up a bit as it moves away from the Bahamas, and remains a Category 3 hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Joaquin was centered early Saturday about 75 miles (120 kms) northeast of San Salvador, Bahamas, and about 745 miles (1,205 kms) southwest of Bermuda.
It has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), and is moving northeast at 10 mph (17 kph).
A hurricane warning is still in effect for parts of the Bahamas. The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch for Bermuda.