A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Central and Southeast Bahamas. This includes Exuma and its Cays, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, Long Island, San Salvador, Cat Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Mayaguana, and Inagua.
 
A Hurricane Warning means that Hurricane conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours. 
 
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
 
A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours.
 
At 2 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near Latitude 22.1 degrees North and Longitude 75.3 degrees West, or about 25 miles East-Southeast of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, 60 miles South-Southwest of South Long Island, 65 miles West-Southwest of Salina Point, Acklins, 130  miles Northwest of Matthew Town, Inagua, 190 miles Northwest of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 150 miles West-Southwest of Abraham’s Bay, Mayaguana, and 235 miles Southeast of New Providence.
 
Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the northeast near 15 miles per hour. An accelerating northeastward motion is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move across the Southeast or Central Bahamas this afternoon and evening.   
 
Maximum sustained winds are now near 100 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane Melissa is a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some slight strengthening is possible today into tomorrow with little change in strength thereafter. 

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. 

Tropical Storm and hurricane conditions continue to spread into the Central and Southeast Bahamas, while tropical storm conditions spread into the Turks and Caicos Islands. Residents are now experiencing sustained winds or gusts up to tropical storm/hurricane strength, heavy rainfall, and severe thunderstorms. These conditions will continue throughout this afternoon and into tonight. Tornadic activity is highly probable in these areas.
 
Hurricane Melissa, should it remain on the forecast track, its core is expected to pass near or over the Crooked Island Passage this afternoon and evening. As a result, Ragged Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, South Long Island, Rum Cay, Samana Cay, and San Salvador are expected to experience hurricane-force winds. All other islands within the warning area are expected to experience tropical-storm force winds with gusts up to hurricane force.
 
Residents should remain indoors until the tropical storm and hurricane-force winds subside tonight and tomorrow morning.
 
Potential Impacts:
 
Hurricane Melissa will bring extended periods of violent winds, heavy rain, and widespread inland and coastal flooding, along with hazardous sea conditions, to the islands in the Central and Southeast Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, this afternoon and tonight. The islands expected to experience the strongest impact are Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Samana Cay, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. However, the extent of the impact depends on Melissa's strength as it moves through the Central and Southeast Bahamas.
 
Rainfall Amount:
 
A total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected over the Southeast Bahamas today, resulting in severe flooding in the islands. Expected rainfall totals for the Turks and Caicos Islands are approximately 1 to 3 inches.
 
Storm Surge:
 
A storm surge of 4 to 7 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the Southeast Bahamas, and minor coastal flooding is possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands today.