This blog is closing. You can find all of our coverage of Hurricane Melissa here. Thanks for following along. Our full report on the disaster is here:
Hurricane warning remains in effect for Bahamas and Bermuda
A hurricane warning remains in effect for southeastern and central Bahamas, and Bermuda, according to the latest 11pm ET update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The centre re-issued a tropical storm warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The NHC said:
The core of Melissa is expected to continue moving near the southeastern or central Bahamas overnight, and is forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night.
Residents in the Bahamas should remain sheltered.
In Bermuda, preparations should be underway and be completed before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicates the maximum sustained winds increased to near 100 mph (155 kph) with higher gusts, and “further strengthening possible tomorrow before weakening likely begins on Friday.”
Updated
