THE National Hurricane Center in Miami declares Hurricane Oscar formed off the coast of the Bahamas.
Oscar, which the hurricane center described as “tiny,” formed Saturday. Oscar – the 15th named storm of the hurricane season – formed as a tropical storm just east of the Turks and Caicos Islands, before quickly strengthening into a hurricane.
The hurricane center said in its 5 p.m. EST advisory that Oscar had become “a little stronger” and the Turks and Caicos Islands should prepare for hurricane conditions Saturday evening. Maximum sustained winds were 85 mph.
The Bahamas government has issued a hurricane warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas. The Cuban government has issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin and Las Tunas.
The Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas can expect heavy rain later tonight and tomorrow, the hurricane center said. Rains are expected to spread to eastern Cuba on Sunday.
National Hurricane Center
The storm’s maximum sustained winds were recorded at 80 mph with higher gusts. Its center was located about 165 miles east-southeast of the southeastern Bahamas and about 470 miles east of Camaguey, Cuba.
Tropical Storm Nadine formed hours earlier in the western Caribbean and moves west toward the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It made landfall near Belize City, Belize, around noon Eastern Time.
Heavy rains and tropical storms were occurring over parts of Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Belize City and from Belize to Cancun, Mexico, including Cozumel.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and ends on November 30, with most activities taking place between mid-August and mid-October. Hurricane activity tends to peak in mid-September, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In Florida, Gulf Coast communities are struggling following back-to-back hurricanes. Hurricane Helene hit the region less than two weeks before the hurricane Milton arrived.
