HURRICANE Matthew is expected to bring strong tropical storm force winds and heavy rain when it passes over the central and southeast Bahamas early next week, with residents being warned to begin hurricane preparations as soon as possible.

Matthew formed into a category one storm yesterday, but is expected to strengthen.

Deputy Director of the Department of Meteorology Basil Dean said that while there are varying projections on how strong Hurricane Matthew will be when it approaches the Bahamas early Tuesday morning, all models indicate that the central and southeast Bahamas will experience strong tropical storm force winds and heavy rains.

He said there is the potential for Matthew to become a category two hurricane or stronger during the weekend. Mr. Dean is advising residents to be prepared for flooding and thunderstorms.

“Residents in Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Ragged Island, Exuma will be the first group of islands to be impacted on Tuesday,” Mr. Dean said.

“Later in the afternoon it will spread to Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay and Eleuthera. Residents must ensure that all their pre-seasonal precautions have been taken. They need to ensure that their shutters are available and in good working condition and that all the debris is cleaned up around the yard.

“There is a general agreement and all the models have indicated that the central and southeast Bahamas will most certainly be impacted with strong tropical storm winds. Here in New Providence we will also get rain and tropical storm force winds but not as heavy. Abaco will also be in that mix, and Grand Bahama, Bimini and Andros will be out of it. It is too early to say what the intensity will be but we will be following the storm closely.”

Mr. Dean said he hopes by the time Matthew gets to the Bahamas it “would have weakened significantly”.

Sancheska Dorsett, Tribune Staff Reporter

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