FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Grand Bahama and the Northwest Bahamas are under a hurricane warning.

As sub-tropical storm Nicole approaches the islands of The Bahamas, it is expected to gain hurricane strength by Wednesday evening, November 9, 2022, with winds of 75 miles per hour.

Residents in the Central Bahamas are asked to continue to monitor this system, because further advisories will be necessary later.

At 10 a.m. on Monday, the maximum sustained winds of Nicole was 45 miles per hour.  Nicole is moving towards the northwest at about nine miles per hour. This motion, with a decrease in forward speed was expected for late Monday and a turn south westward Tuesday or early Thursday.

“As Nicole moves through The Bahamas, we expect the winds to increase and become a hurricane,” said Arnold King of the Met Department, during an emergency meeting held by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday morning in New Providence.

“By Wednesday evening, Nicole is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum winds of 75 miles per hour. The wind field is fairly large, extending outward up to 275 miles. We expect rainfall between Wednesday and Thursday to be 2-4 inches, with local maximum amounts of up to six inches. Storm surges of 3-5 feet are expected as well, with possible water spouts and tornadic activity.”

On its path, Nicole is expected to move past Abaco, and will cover the entire island of Grand Bahama. However, Arnold King says residents in other islands like Eleuthera, Bimini, The Berry Islands and New Providence should pay close attention to the storm, as there is always a possibility in a shift of direction.

Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA said the main concern is, as the system approaches Tuesday evening with winds of 60 miles per hour, by Wednesday evening, it becomes a hurricane and is expected to cross Abaco and the full length of Grand Bahama. He noted that these islands are definitely vulnerable to high surges and extensive flooding.

“Even as a category one, we must prepare for something higher, especially because the storm is expected to slow down,” said Captain Russell. “Marsh Harbor, Little Abaco, all along the path of Grand Bahama -- we are concerned about. Plans are in motion to evacuate those persons from Sweeting’s Cay. Those persons in East End Grand Bahama, who are uncomfortable with their homes should consider evacuating those homes.

“Hurricane watches have already been issued and so we need persons to evacuate when the order is given.”

Captain Russell also expressed serious concerns for West Grand Bahama. He said for years storm surges have impacted west Grand Bahama on a regular basis.

“That’s because north of west Grand Bahama is Little Bahama Bank, which is shallow water,” explained Captain Russell. “Once a major storm or any storm passes in that area, surge is generated because of the low shelf of the ocean, to low water and eventually that is what washes across the western area.

“We’re expecting a king tide and eventually a high tide, which combined with the rain from this system, it could produce surge of up to seven feet of water coming across the western Grand Bahama.”

He said that the relevant Government agencies are ready and are continuing to prepare for the approaching storm. He added that the final piece of the puzzle for preparedness will come from every citizen on the affected islands to do their part to prepare for Hurricane Nicole.

“We want people to prepare. That’s the main message of the day – to prepare,” said Minister for Grand Bahama, Hon. Ginger Moxey, following an emergency meeting in Grand Bahama at the Lucayan Resort, hosted by the Grand Bahama Disaster Consultative Committee.

“We called this meeting this morning, really to get everyone involved, from east to west, so that we are prepared. We are moving forward with all of the strategies that have already been implemented. Everyone, I think, is on the same page and we look forward to really having shelters opened and listening to the weather updates as they come and really execute like I know Grand Bahamians can do. The storm is headed our way and we want to ensure that everyone is on the same page.”

The Grand Bahama Minister said that there is always a concern when it comes to protecting people, so she is advocating for total preparedness.

“We know what we’re going through,” said Minister Moxey. “We know that we’re still in a state of recovery from Hurricane Dorian; we know that many people are still in need of home repairs. But in the midst of that we’re doing all we can to have the shelters ready and having transportation ready and ensuring that all of the district councils are ready to activate their plans. So I think that we’re there, organizing. It came upon us like storms of the past. Apparently it’s taking the same track as Hurricane Jeanne. And so, we are fully engaged in ensuring that we are ready to deal with this impending storm.”

Hurricane shelters in Grand Bahama were expected to open on Tuesday morning and according to Meteorologists, residents will have up to Tuesday afternoon as the latest to move about in making final preparations.

All sea ports in Grand Bahama have been closed and ships that were scheduled to sail on Wednesday have been cancelled. The airport in Grand Bahama is also expected to close on Tuesday afternoon.

RELEVANT AGENCIES GATHER – Representatives from various government agencies got together to discuss preparation plans for the arrival of Hurricane Nicole in Grand Bahama. The meeting was held following an emergency meeting on Monday, November 7, 2022 at the Grand Lucayan resort. Nicole is expected to be a Category One Hurricane when it moves through the northwest Bahamas on Wednesday and Thursday.

EMERGENCY MEETING – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey (center), along with Senator Kirkland Russell (second from left), Senator James Turner (third from left) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Mr. Melvin Seymour (left), joined Local Town Councilors for an emergency meeting on Monday, November 7, 2022, at the Grand Lucayan resort, in regard to the approach of possible Hurricane Nicole, which is expected to hit Grand Bahama on Wednesday morning. Authorities from various government agencies gave updates on their respective agencys' readiness for the storm.