At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Irma was located
near latitude 18.8 North, longitude 65.4 West. Irma is moving
toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this general
motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days. On the
forecast track, the extremely dangerous core of Irma will pass just
north of Puerto Rico tonight, pass near or just north of the coast
of Hispaniola Thursday, and be near the Turks and Caicos and
southeastern Bahamas by Thursday evening.
Maximum sustained winds are near 185 mph (295 km/h) with higher
gusts. Irma is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely
during the next day or two, but Irma is forecast to remain a
powerful category 4 or 5 hurricane during the next couple of days.
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles
(295 km). A wind gust to 62 mph (100 km/h) has been recently
reported at San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The estimated minimum central pressure based on Air Force
reconnaissance aircraft data is 914 mb (26.99 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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STORM SURGE: The combination of a life-threatening storm surge and
large breaking waves will raise water levels ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS by the following amounts within the hurricane warning area
near and to the north of the center of Irma. Near the coast, the
surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Turks and Caicos Islands...15 to 20 ft
Southeastern and central Bahamas...15 to 20 ft
Northern coast of the Dominican Republic...3 to 5 ft
Northern coast of Haiti and the Gulf of Gonave...1 to 3 ft
Northern coast of Cuba in the warning area...5 to 10 ft
Water levels in the Leeward Islands will gradually subside tonight.
The combination of a life-threatening storm surge and the tide will
cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising
waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water is expected to
reach the following HEIGHTS ABOVE GROUND if the peak surge occurs at
the time of high tide...
British and U.S. Virgin Islands except St. Croix...7 to 11 ft
Northern coast of Puerto Rico...4 to 6 ft
Southern coast of Puerto Rico and St. Croix...2 to 4 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of
onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and
destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative
timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over
short distances. For information specific to your area, please see
products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast
office.
WIND: Tropical Storm and Hurricane conditions are occurring over
the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and will spread westward over
portions of Puerto Rico tonight. Hurricane conditions are expected
to begin within the hurricane warning area in the Dominican Republic
and Haiti early Thursday, with tropical storm conditions beginning
tonight. Hurricane conditions are expected to begin in the warning
area in the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on
Thursday with tropical storm conditions by late tonight. These
conditions will spread into the Central Bahamas by Thursday night.
Hurricane and tropical storm conditions are possible within the
watch area in the central Bahamas and Cuba by Friday. Tropical
storm conditions are expected to begin within the warning area in
Cuba Thursday night.
RAINFALL: Irma is expected to produce the following rain
accumulations through Saturday:
Northern Leeward Islands...Additional 1 to 3 inches. Storm total 8
to 12 inches, isolated 20 inches.
Northeast Puerto Rico and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands...6 to
12 inches, isolated 20 inches.
Southwest Puerto Rico...3 to 6 inches, isolated 10 inches.
The Southern Leeward Islands, and Saint Croix...2 to 4 inches.
Southeast Bahamas, Central Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos...8 to
12 inches, isolated 20 inches.
Northern Dominican Republic and northern Haiti...4 to 10 inches,
isolated 15 inches.
Eastern and Central Cuba...4 to 10 inches, isolated 15 inches.
Southwest Haiti...1 to 4 inches.
In all areas this rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods
and mudslides.
SURF: Swells generated by Irma will affect the northern Leeward
Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the southeastern Bahamas,
the Turks and Caicos Islands, the northern coast of the Dominican
Republic, and portions of the southeast coast of the United States
during the next several days. These swells are likely to cause
life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult
products from your local weather office.
UPDATE: Below is the National Hurricane Center 11am Statement Regarding Irma, Winds
