Updates On Irene, Flight Changes, Emergency Shelters…

• Despite a slight movement east, Irene is still expected to significantly impact the archipelago, particularly the easternmost islands.   The Met Department’s 6:00 p.m. report is below.

• LPIA Nassau Tentatively Scheduled to Close at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday;  Further Review in Morning on Closure Time Which May Be Extended

• Grand Bahama FPO Scheduled to Close 10:00 p.m. Wednesday

• Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera and Bimini Airports Tentatively Scheduled to Close at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Further Review in Morning

• Cat Island, Long Island and Exuma Airports to Close Midnight Tonight with Further Review in Morning Re Re-opening

• US Embassy Asks for Assistance in Registering American Citizens Still in Islands

• Ministry of Tourism Latest Release on Industry Response to Storm

• Hotels Reminded of Cancellation Policy

• Those in Low-Lying and Vulnerable Areas Should Consider Shelters – List of All Bahamas Shelters

• Additional Flights and Flight Changes – in addition to those emailed earlier today – include:

—- British Airways Cancels Nassau-Cayman-Heathrow Flight Wed; Expects to Resume Friday (Letter for Passengers is Attached)

—- American Adds Two More Nassau-Miami Flights Wed Morning – Depart – 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Call 800# for reservations

—- US Airways and Continental Airlines Operating Normal Schedules for Tomorrow

—- COPA Airlines – Wed Afternoon Flight Still Scheduled;  May Move Departure Slightly Earlier; Confirmation in the Morning

BAHAMAS METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT:  IRENE ALERT #19
 
THIS IS ALERT NUMBER NINETEEN (#19) ON HURRICANE IRENE ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, AT 6:00 PM, TUESDAY, 23RD AUGUST 2011.
 
… Irene Lashing The Turks And Caicos Islands ….
 
A Hurricane Warning Is Now In Effect For The Entire Bahamas Which Includes The Islands Of Bimini, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Berry Islands, Eleuthera, New Providence, Andros, Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Cat Island, Exuma And Its Cays, Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Ragged Island, Acklins And All The Surrounding Cays. A Hurricane Warning Is Also In Effect For The Turks And Caicos Islands.
 
A Hurricane Warning Means That Hurricane Conditions Are Possible In The Mentioned Islands Within Thirty-Six (36) Hours.
 
At 5:00 Pm Edt, The Center Of Hurricane Irene Was Located Near Latitude 20.9° Degrees North And Longitude 71.5° Degrees West Or About 50 Miles South-Southwest (Ssw) Of Grand Turk, Turks And Caicos, About 110 Miles East (E) Of Great Inagua Island And About 465 Miles Southeast (Se) Of Nassau.
 
Irene Is Moving Toward The West-Northwest (Wnw) Near 9 Miles Per Hour…And This General Motion Is Expected To Continue Through Tonight…Followed By A Turn Toward The Northwest On Wednesday. On The Forecast Track… The Centre Of Irene Will Move Near Or Over The Turks And Caicos Islands This Evening…Near Or Over The Southeastern And Central Bahamas Tonight And Wednesday…And Near Or Over The Northwestern Bahamas On Thursday.
 
Maximum Sustained Winds Are Near 90 Miles Per Hour (Mph) With Higher Gusts. Irene Is A Category One Hurricane On The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Strengthening Is Forecast During The Next 48 Hours… And Irene Could Become A Major Hurricane Wednesday Night Or Thursday.
 
Hurricane Force Winds Extend Outward Up To 40 Miles From The Centre And Tropical Storm Force Winds Extend Outward Up To 205 Miles From The Centre.
 
Storm Surge And Battering Waves Are Now Impacting The Turks And Caicos Islands And Will Spread Into The Southeast Bahamas  Later Tonight…

Heavy Downpour Will Result In Widespread Flooding In Many Of The Low Lying Islands In The Warning Areas. Extreme Caution Should Be Exercised In Flooded Areas Where Downed Powerlines May Result In Serious Bodily Harm. Storm Surge Heights Of 10 Feet Or Greater Will Posed A Serious Threat To Islands In The Central Bahamas That Include Cat Island, Long Island, And Exuma. The Surge Will Spread Into The Northwest Bahamas By Wednesday Night.
 
Residents In The  Turks And Caicos Islands Should Remain In Doors Until The All Clear Is Given. Residents In The Southeast Bahamas Whose Dwellings Are Not Warranted Sound Should Have Already Contacted Their Local Administrators And Secured Safe Shelters.

Residents In The Northwest And Central Bahamas Should Finalise The Necessary Preparations In Advance Of Irene.
 
Small Craft Operators In The Northwest, Central And Southeast Bahamas And Also The Turks And Caicos Islands Should Remain In Port.
 
The Next Alert Will Be Issued At 9:00pm Edt.
 
Prepared By Shayvonne Moxey-Bonamy