Some Strengthening Forecast for Joaquin

HurricaneMIAMI (AP) – The eye of Hurricane Joaquin is passing over Samana Cays in the Bahamas, and the storm is expected to bring more heavy rain, winds and a significant storm surge as it moves across the Atlantic toward the United States.

Late Thursday morning, Joaquin had maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), making it a major Category 3 hurricane.

Joaquin was about 80 miles (125 kilometers) south-southeast of San Salvador. It was moving southwest at 6 mph (9 kph).

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center in Miami say a hurricane warning is in effect for much of the Bahamas. A hurricane watch is in effect for Bimini and Andros Island.

Forecasters warn people to be prepared for dangerous surf, storm surge, wind and rainfall – up to 15 or 20 inches in some areas.

They also say additional strengthening is possible over the next day, with some fluctuations in intensity possible Friday night and Saturday.

The storm is expected to make a turn toward the East Coast. But it’s unclear what type of impact the storm could have on Cape Cod and Islands at this time.

Meanwhile, governors up and down the East Coast are warning residents to prepare for drenching storms that could cause power outages and close more roads in a region already walloped by rain.

Recent downpours have forced people from their homes and closed schools in the mid-Atlantic region, and forecasters are calling for several more inches of rain in coming days — regardless of what happens with Hurricane Joaquin, which is spinning off the coast.

Storms that impacted Cape Cod on Wednesday caused scattered power outages throughout the day and flooded roads.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says depending on its path, Joaquin could intensify the storms’ damage.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was among the officials urging residents to take precautions, saying: “Our state has seen the damage that extreme weather can cause time and time again.”

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