Hurricane Joaquin, Now Category 3, Heading for Region

Image Courtesy of the National Hurricane Center

The National Hurricane Center reports Hurricane Joaquin, which will impact the region early next week, is rapidly intensifying and has reached Category 3 late Wednesday evening.

"Hurricane Joaquin is a couple hundred miles east of the Bahamas and is expected to move towards our region during the next five days," forecasters said.

Governor Terry McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency, which authorizes state agencies to help localities respond to the weather event.

The agency expects the storm to strengthen into a Category 4 storm late Thursday.

"The details of how significantly the storm will impact us will become clearer as the week progresses," they said. "Sunday into Monday is the most likely time."

However, as of 4 a.m. Thursday, some models are indicating that the storm may shift to the east.

"Much of the guidance made some shift eastward overnight with the most notable change sending Joaquin into New Jersey much further north and east than previous run," they said. "The weather Sunday and Monday remains highly uncertain with heavy rain, strong gusty winds, tidal flooding and erosion remaining a concern, though it could just turn out to be a partly sunny and breezy day," they said.

Bristow Beat will continue to monitor this weather event and provide updates.