Published On:Tuesday, August 31, 2010

10pm – A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands and a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Southeast Bahamas, which includes the islands of Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, and Crooked Island.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions can be felt in the identified area within 36 hours while a tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area….generally within 48 hours.

At 8:00pm edt the center of Hurricane Earl was located near latitude 22.5 degrees north and longitude 69.1 degrees west or about 125 miles east-northeast of Grand Turks, Turks and Caicos Islands and 249 miles east of

Mayaguana.

Earl is moving toward the northwest near 14 miles per hour. This general motion is expected to continue on Wednesday with a gradual turn to the north-northwest thereafter. On the current forecast track earl is expected to pass well east and northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands and northeast of the Bahamas tomorrow.

Maximum sustained winds are near 135 miles per hour with higher gusts. Earl is a major category four hurricane. little change in strength is expected through Wednesday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from its center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles from its center.

Residents in the Turks and Caicos Island can expect heavy downpour, strong gusty winds up to tropical storm force, flooding in low-lying areas and dangerous battering waves up to 25 feet this afternoon and tonight. therefore, residents in the Turks & Caicos Islands should remain indoors once the conditions begin to deteriorate and remain ready to take the quick action should the cyclone change course and increase its threat.

Residents in the southeast Bahamas should continue to monitor the progress of Earl and remain in doors during the passage of the feeder bands which can produce heavy downpours and strong gusty winds.

Small craft operators in the watch and warning areas should remain in port and continue to monitor the progress of Earl.