Caribbean Storm Update

Pity poor Haiti: the Caribbean nation has been absolutely battered during this Atlantic hurricane season, with three major storms bringing mudslides, flooding, death and destruction to Haiti's long-suffering people. This week, Tropical Storm Hanna has lingered stubbornly off Haiti's northern coast, and more than 100 Haitians have died as a result of Hanna, Gustav, and Fay.

Hurricane warnings remain in effect Wednesday for the central and southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos, with experts predicting some strengthening and movement on the part of Hanna. A hurricane watch has been posted for the northwestern Bahamas, and tropical storm warnings remain in effect in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, the much faster moving Tropical Storm Ike is heading west at about 18 mph and is currently about 800 miles east of the Leeward Islands. Maximum sustained winds are about 65 mph, and the National Weather Service expects the storm to grow to hurricane strength today.

Further out is Tropical Storm Josephine, about 200 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands and packing winds of about 60 mph and growing stronger. Josephine is moving west-northwest at about 13 mph.

The above NOAA satellite image captures three major Atlantic storms: the remnants of Hurricane Gustav over the southern U.S., Tropical Storm Hanna in the Bahamas/northern Caribbean, and Tropical Storm Ike moving west toward the Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Josephine is out of the image to the right.

More Info on Caribbean Travel and Weather

National Hurricane Center