Hurricane Dorian of 2019 struck the Bahamas in early September and is forever remembered as the worst cyclone to ever strike the islands, with winds sustained of 185 mph.
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Dorian was one of four Category 5 hurricanes to strike the Bahamas, the others being the 1932 Bahamas hurricane, the 1933 Cuba–Brownsville hurricane, and Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The most recent hurricane to strike the archipelago was Hurricane Nicole in 2022.
It may be a surprise to many that major hurricanes happen on occasion. According to WorldData, hurricanes in The Bahamas happen about four times a year.
Historical HazardsThe location of the Bahamas archipelago in the Atlantic hurricane belt means that the islands are subject to regular hydro-meteorological disasters including hurricanes, storms and cyclones which occur most frequently in the months of September, October, August and November.
August is peak hurricane seasonAugust and September are the most active months for hurricanes in the Bahamas. Odds are you'll be OK, but be aware that August is still the rainy season, even when no hurricanes are in the Atlantic.
The best time to visit the Bahamas is from mid-December to mid-April, the country's peak season. Though temperatures here are great year-round (they rarely dip below 60 degrees), the islands fall within the hurricane belt, so hurricanes may be a factor between June 1 and Nov. 30 (the Atlantic hurricane season).
Late April-early DecemberBut many Bahamian properties schedule maintenance during these months, which can lead to noisy surroundings and reduced services. May to October are the wettest months of the year and hurricanes may also make landfall here between June and November, so consider buying travel insurance.
— 2015: Hurricane Joaquin, Category 4, meandered over the southern Bahamas, battering its islands for over two days. Joaquin caused extensive devastation and its storm surge trapped hundreds in their homes. Offshore, the American cargo ship El Faro and her 33 members were lost to the hurricane.
Bahamas escaped the worst of the storm. Inagua, South Acklins and Ragged Island took the most direct hit from the storm which packed winds of 155 mph near New Providence. Multiple homes in Grand Bahamas were damaged by tornadic activity.
Overview. The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, like all countries in and near the Caribbean Sea, are potentially at risk from hurricanes. The official hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, although hurricanes have been known to form in other months.
13 What Areas In The Bahamas Are Most Affected By Hurricanes? The hardest hit regions in The Bahamas are Central Abaco, Andros, East Grand Bahama, and West Grand Bahama.
A later investigation determined the tourists had died of asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Insider reported carbon monoxide detectors have since been placed in all guest rooms at the resort and its other properties.
Hurricane Dorian in 2019 was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the Bahamas, with one-minute maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (298 km/h), causing $2.5 billion in damage and at least 74 deaths.
Overall, the hurricane killed 14 people and caused at least $623 million in damage. Before striking South Florida, Katrina traversed the Bahamas as a tropical storm. However, minimal impact was reported, with only fresh breezes on various islands.
There are police patrols in the main tourist areas. Be vigilant at all times and don't walk alone away from the main hotels, tourist areas, beaches and downtown Nassau, particularly after dark. Take care if travelling on local bus services after dusk on routes away from the main tourist areas.
Bahamas - Exercise a high degree of cautionExercise a high degree of caution in The Bahamas due to high rates of crime, especially in Freeport and Nassau.
Not only are there petty crimes, like pickpocketing, there are also robberies, sexual assault, and gang-related murders, making for a bit of a scary prospect of heading outside your resort. For the most part, however, as long as you travel smart, you'll be fine.