Bahamas has discontinued hurricane warning for the southeastern Bahamas but still in effect for central and northwestern Bahamas.
8:00 a.m. EDT  The center of hurricane Irene was located near latitude 25.5 north, longitude 76.5 west. Irene is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph.
A turn toward the north-northwest is expected today followed by a turn toward the north by early Friday.
On the forecast track, the core of the hurricane will continue to move over the northwestern Bahamas today
Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph with higher gusts. Irene is still a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Some strengthening is still expected today and tonight.In Nassau power lines, trees and satellites have been gone down, blocking streets and destroying cars.
The official reporting site in Nassau recently reported a wind gust to 62 mph. An unofficial reporting station in Nassau recently reported a wind gust to 100 mph.
The latest minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA and air force reserve reconnaissance aircraft is 950 mb...28.05 inches.
An automated observing site at rock sound on the southern end of Eleuthera Island reported a minimum pressure of 952.4 mb as the center passed nearby a few hours ago.
Hurricane force winds are currently spreading over the northwestern Bahamas. Hurricane or tropical storm force winds are still occurring over portions of the central Bahamas but should begin to diminish later today.
Storm surge in areas of onshore winds near the center of Irene, an extremely dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels over the Bahamas. Near the coast the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
Irene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches over the Bahamas during the next 36 hours.

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