Hurricane Sandy sweeps towards the Bahamas

  • Weather
Hurricane Sandy caused Hope River in Kingston to swell with rain. Credit: Reuters

Hurricane Sandy, having already churned through Jamaica, has swept through Cuba as a category 2 storm and will continue to journey northwards approaching the Bahamas later today.

A Tropical Storm warning has been issued for parts of eastern Florida and Haiti.

Sandy has sustained winds of 105 mph and stronger gusts. With a possible 12 inches of rainfall expected (and up to 20 inches locally) there'll be a high risk of flash flooding and mudslides especially in areas with higher ground.

The combination of high tide and storm surge will mean sea levels will be several feet higher than usual, up to 7-8 ft around the Cuba and Bahamas coastlines, bringing a further flood risk.

Hurricane season runs from the beginning of June until the end of November.