After Grand Bahama was drenched by almost continuous rain showers on Saturday, the Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the island and adjacent waters yesterday.
The warning lasted from 9.45 a.m. to 11.45 a.m. According to a release from the department, at 9:45 a.m. yesterday, radar and satellite data indicated a line of thunderstorms from the outer rain bands associated with tropical depression Emily.
These thunderstorms were capable of spawning strong gusty winds, hail, flash floods and possible tornadoes, the release noted. Residents in the affected areas were advised to stay indoors and away from windows until conditions improved, and boaters were warned to remain in port.
Yesterday's forecast noted that tropical depression Emily was located north of Grand Bahama and was expected to continue to create unsettled weather across the extreme northern islands while shifting away from the area. The extended forecast indicated that high pressure will build across The Bahamas over the next few days.
Today, the forecast indicated, will be partly sunny and warm with the chance of a few isolated showers or thunderstorms, while Tuesday is expected to be mostly sunny and warm with isolated showers or thunderstorms possible.
Meanwhile, according to the department, tropical depression Emily remains poorly organized with heavy rains over the island gradually decreasing. At 5 a.m. yesterday, the system was located 155 miles north of Freeport, moving towards the north near nine miles per hour.
A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed was expected. Maximum sustained winds were recorded as being nearly 35 miles per hour. Emily could degenerate into a trough of low pressure by Tuesday, the forecast stated.
Early last week, tropical storm warnings were issued for the central and southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which includes Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Acklins, Ragged Island, Cat Island, Great Exuma and its cays, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador, while a tropical storm watch was also issued for the northwest Bahamas, which includes the islands of Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, the Berry Islands, Andros, New Providence and Eleuthera.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had partially activated its operation centers on the Family Islands projected to be affected by tropical storm Emily, in the event the situation had escalated into a real threat of a severe thunderstorm or a hurricane.
NEMA had also put representatives of its Emergency Function Support groupings on alert to report to the National Emergency Operations Centre to handle any eventuality.
All watches and warnings were discontinued on Thursday.
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