Hurricane Joaquin is now 155mph - that is

[malaise]

one mph less than Cat5 - there are gusts up to 185mph - so much for El Nino.

Poor Bermuda - hope this weakens and changes course



Oh and there's another system just starting out her journey.

[spanone]

1. scary!!! K&R...

[lovuian]

2. Whoah

I thought they said it was going to diminish not strengthen

[malaise]

4. They still anticipate that it will weaken

It did but then it intensified

[lovuian]

8. that looks like a big oopsie

in prediction world

[malaise]

9. Up there with the garlands for Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush

in 2003

[HooptieWagon]

3. Bermuda will be OK.

The island is much higher than the Bahamas, and their houses are almost like bunkers.
I'm concerned for the Bahamas...Aklins Is, Long Is, and Crooked Is (near where the ship disappeared) were all reported underwater during the storm, before communication was lost. AFAIK communication is still down, and they can't yet get a boat or aircraft there to check on them.

[malaise]

5. No one is alright in a Cat 5 n/t

[HooptieWagon]

12. If any place can survive a Cat 5, it's Bermuda.

Some harbor facilities could be flooded/damaged, but most of the island is high ground and solid rock. I'm serious about the buildings being bunkers, they have very strict building codes. Solid reinforced concrete walls and roofs, anchored firmly into bedrock. I'd ride out a Cat 5 in Bermuda before riding out a Cat 3 in Florida.

[fredamae]

6. I thought it was supposed to

track East-out in the Atlantic???
Geez...Be safe, folks.

[malaise]

7. Bermuda is North East

Could still miss

[fredamae]

10. I sure Hope it does! Cat5 Wow n/t

[workinclasszero]

11. Wow

Is it going to make landfall with that wind speed?

[malaise]

13. I hope not

The experts say it will weaken and it may not make a direct hit

[annabanana]

14. When you said "another system just starting out. . "

I ran over to the Weather Underground ( http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/ ) and saw with relief that Invest 90L looks like a pretty sure bet to head the other way.

I love that site...

[malaise]

15. Same here - love that site

Still NOAA has another one rolling off of Africa - days away