Joaquin becomes hurricane, heads toward Bahamas

Reuters

9 years ago

Hurricane Joaquin is seen approaching the Bahamas in this NOAA GOES East satellite image taken at 09:15 ET, Sept. 30, 2015. Joaquin, now a Category 1 hurricane, is located about 245 miles east-northeast of the central Bahamas. (NOAA/Handout/Reuters)

Tropical Storm Joaquin is seen approaching the Bahamas in this NOAA Goes-East satellite image taken Sept. 29, 2015. (NOAA/Handout/Reuters)

Joaquin, formerly a tropical storm, has strengthened into the third hurricane of the 2015 Atlantic season, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday.

Joaquin, now a Category 1 hurricane located about 245 miles east-northeast of the central Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, is expected to move near or over portions of the central Bahamas on Wednesday night and Thursday, the NHC said.

Hurricanes range in severity from Category 1 to catastrophic Category 5.