ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hurricane Oscar is expected to reach Guantanamo or Holguin, Cuba later today, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of Sunday morning, Oscar is located 10 miles southwest of Great Inagua Island and about 115 miles east-northeast of Guantanamo, Cuba. Maximum sustained winds are currently clocked at 80 mph with present movement at 12 mph.
The Bahamas has discontinued its Tropical Storm Warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Right now, a Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
- Southeastern Bahamas
- North coast of the Cuban Provinces of Holguin and Guantanamo to
Punta Maisi
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- North coast of the Cuban Province of Las Tunas
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- South coast of Cuban Province of Guantanamo
- North coast of the Cuban Province of Las Tunas
"Interests in the central Bahamas should monitor the progress of Oscar. Tropical storm watches could be required for this area later today," forecasters said.
Through Tuesday, rainfall amounts of 5-10 inches with isolated amounts of 15 inches are expected across eastern Cuba. As for the southeastern Bahamas, 2-4 inches are expected with isolated amounts around 6 inches.
Dangerous storm surge will likely produce dangerous coastal flooding on Great Inagua Island in the southeastern Bahamas with water levels expected to be 2 and 4 feet above normal tide levels, NHC said. Meanwhile, water levels of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels are expected along the north shore of Cuba in areas of onshore winds.
Oscar will not bring a threat to Florida as the system is anticipated to recurve toward the northeast with the help of a frontal boundary that dropped into our region earlier in the week.