According to Jose Harding of Port Nelson, Rum Cay, residents are faring well so far despite losing power at about 3:30 p.m. today.

Harding, who spoke to The Guardian around 7 p.m. said, winds were reportedly 75 miles per hour, but felt a lot stronger.

"The weather wasn't so bad, this is like the worst of it right now," Harding said.

"[But] the power is out. That's my worst nightmare.

"I can't stop thinking about what's wrong.

"I'm just hanging in and hoping for it to pass quickly."

The Guardian also spoke to Harding's wife, Synovia, who is the nurse on duty at the Ragged Island All Age School hurricane shelter.

She said there were 26 people in the shelter at the time and weather conditions have not began to deteriorate.

The southern islands started feeling effects of Hurricane Matthew Tuesday night.

The dangerous Category 3 storm is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours, unleashing 120 mile-per-hour winds over the islands.

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