Powerful Hurricane Matthew targets Bahamas after hammering Haiti, Cuba

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

October 6,2016; 1:55AM,EDT

 

 

Dangerous Hurricane Matthew has set its sights on the Bahamas after turning deadly in the Caribbean.
Matthew, currently a Category 3 hurricane, has made the northwestward turn and will affect much of the Bahamas through Thursday.
Interaction with the large mountainous islands of Hispaniola and Cuba caused Matthew to weaken somewhat Tuesday night.
"Matthew will regain some strength on Thursday over the Bahamas," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.

"Matthew remains a very dangerous hurricane," he said.
Matthew made its first landfall on the Haiti Tiburon Peninsula during Tuesday morning, before making a second landfall on the eastern tip of Cuba during Tuesday evening.
Matthew has already been responsible for a number of fatalities across the Caribbean, according to the Associated Press.
The Bahamas, including the major cities of Nassau and Freeport, will be slammed with major hurricane conditions through Thursday.
The Turks and Caicos will also face moderate impacts by the hurricane as the eye passes well to their west.

The slow-moving nature of the hurricane will translate to days rather than hours of pounding surf, high winds and heavy rain on the Bahamas.
In addition to life-threatening conditions, major property damage and inundation is likely due to powerful winds, storm surge and flash flooding.
"A storm surge of 10-15 feet can occur, along with the potential for a foot or more of rain on some of the Bahamas," AccuWeather Meteorologist Mike Doll said.
As a result, significant inundation is likely in some communities.
People are encouraged to heed evacuation orders as they are given. Small craft should be secured in port.
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Travel disruptions will also occur in the region.
Cruise, freight and charter airline interests should be prepared to change itineraries until the storm has passed. Commercial airline delays and cancellations are likely as the storm approaches. Some airports will close.
In the wake of the storm, many areas will be in need of assistance. Power may be out for days. Food, fresh water and medical items may be in short supply.
Seas and surf along the coast of the southeastern United States will build and become dangerous later this week. How serious wind, rain and and flooding become this weekend in the U.S. will depend on the path Matthew takes.