THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY HAS ISSUED A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING FOR THE ISLANDS OF GREAT EXUMA, CAT ISLAND, RUM CAY, SAN SALVADOR AND LONG ISLAND FROM 12:00 PM EDT UNTIL 3:00 PM THURSDAY 5TH MAY, 2016.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED ISLANDS OF THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND THEIR ADJACENT WATERS.

AT 11:50AM, RADAR AND SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOW BROAD CLUSTERS OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS GREAT EXUMA, CAT ISLAND, RUM CAY, SAN SALVADOR AND LONG ISLAND MOVING SOUTH AND EASTWARDS AROUND 15 MILES PER HOUR. SOME OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE STRONG TO SEVERE AT TIMES CAUSING STRONG GUSTY WINDS, DANGEROUS LIGHTNING, HEAVY DOWNPOURS, HAIL AND POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT OR TORNADOES. RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE ALL PRE-CAUTIONS TO PROTECT PROPERTY AS FLOODING IS LIKELY IN LOW LYING AREAS AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR IMMEDIATELY AND RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD STAY INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS WHEN CONDITIONS WORSEN. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER TREES OR IN WATER AS THESE CAN BECOME LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS.