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MIAMI (AP) — The latest on Joaquin and the storm's predicted path. All times local:
11 p.m.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Joaquin remains an "extremely dangerous" storm heading on a northeastward forecast path toward Bermuda.
The Miami-based center says a hurricane warning has been issued for Bermuda by that country's weather service.
Miami experts say the storm is a Category 4 hurricane centered about 385 miles (620 kilometers) south of Bermuda. It has sustained top winds of 130 mph (215 kph).
The center says tropical storm conditions should reach Bermuda by Sunday morning and hurricane conditions are expected by Sunday afternoon.
8 p.m.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Joaquin continues to be a strong Category 4 hurricane as it moves northeastward toward Bermuda.
The storm is now centered about 455 miles (730 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda, moving toward the northeast at 17 mph (28 kph). Joaquin has maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (235 kph)
The Miami specialists say the forecast track indicates the eye of Joaquin should pass west of Bermuda on Sunday. But they caution any deviation in Joaquin's path could bring the core of the hurricane and stronger winds closer to the island.
5 p.m.
Forecasters in Miami say Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 4 storm, is centered about 500 miles (805 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda and has top sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph).
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Joaquin is a severe hurricane and is moving northeast at 17 mph (28 kph).
A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch remain in effect for Bermuda. Tropical storm conditions are expected for Bermuda within the next 24 to 36 hours, the hurricane center says, adding hurricane conditions are also possible in the same period.
3 p.m.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Hurricane Joaquin has strengthened again into a Category 4 storm.
The hurricane had dropped to a Category 3 on Friday but was upgraded early Saturday afternoon with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph (250 mph), with higher gusts. A gradual weakening was expected later in the day.
The center said swells generated by Joaquin will continue to affect portions of the Bahamas over the next few days.
A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch were issued for Bermuda. Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach Bermuda by Sunday morning, with hurricane conditions possible later in the day.
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12 p.m.
U.S. Coast Guard aircraft has resumed its search in the waters of the southeastern Bahamas for a cargo ship with 33 people on board that lost power and began taking on water after powerful Hurricane Joaquin struck.
Coast Guard officials dispatched planes and helicopters to the area with the storm now moving to the northeast away from the Bahamas.
The 735-foot (224-meter) El Faro was heading from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico when it was battered by 20- to 30-foot waves (up to 9-meter) as Joaquin was a Category 4 storm. It has since weakened to a Category 3.
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5:20 a.m.
Joaquin (wa-KEEN) has sped up a bit as it moves away from the Bahamas, and remains a Category 3 hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Joaquin was centered Saturday morning about 120 miles (175 kms) northeast of San Salvador, Bahamas, and about 700 miles (1,130 kms) southwest of Bermuda.
It has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), and is moving northeast at 13 mph (20 kph).
A hurricane warning is still in effect for parts of the Bahamas. The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch for Bermuda.
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2:40 a.m.
Joaquin (wa-KEEN) has sped up a bit as it moves away from the Bahamas, and remains a Category 3 hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Joaquin was centered early Saturday about 75 miles (120 kms) northeast of San Salvador, Bahamas, and about 745 miles (1,205 kms) southwest of Bermuda.
It has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), and is moving northeast at 10 mph (17 kph).
A hurricane warning is still in effect for parts of the Bahamas. The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch for Bermuda.
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