OVERVIEW OF HURRICANE JOAQUIN EFFECTS IN THE BAHAMAS (29 SEPTEMBER-3 OCTOBER 2015)

Originating from a non-tropical, low-pressure system southwest of Bermuda in late September 2015, Joaquin evolved to a tropical storm on 29 September and intensified to major hurricane status by 1 October. The hurricane made a looping track through the central and southern Bahamas over 2+ days (1-3 Oct). Maximum wind speeds reached Category 4 level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (130-156 mph), although landfall wind speeds appear to have been lower (Cat. 3: 111-129 mph). Strong sustained winds and storm surge, along with the recurved path of the storm resulted in extensive infrastructure damage and coastal modification on Crooked, Acklins, Long, Exuma, Rum Cay, and San Salvador islands.

Local airports were closed during the storm, and aviation and power-plant facilities, as well as power lines throughout the central and southern Bahamas received significant damage from Joaquin. Storm-surge flooding was widespread, as was roof damage to buildings of all sizes. The Bahamas government placed total infrastructure damage at $120.6 million. On San Salvador, it was estimated that ~80% of all buildings had structural damage requiring substantial repairs, and some homes, mostly along the southeast coast, were destroyed. Facilities at the Gerace Research Centre and the island’s two main resorts, Club Med and the Riding Rock Inn, were severely impacted by the storm. All were able to reopen by January 2016.

Coastal impact of Joaquin was widespread throughout the region, beginning with long-period swells that impacted parts of the archipelago in advance of the storm. Storm-surge levels during landfall were variable, with an area on Long Island recording the highest surge at 5.5 m. On San Salvador, storm surge was greatest along the south and southeast coasts, with the east (windward) and west coasts less affected and beaches on the north coast only minimally scarped. The southeast coast suffered extensive beach erosion, boulder movement along the area known as The Gulf, and significant sand washover near Sandy Hook. Details will be provided in other reports during the Hurricane Joaquin theme session, along with public-policy recommendations for continued monitoring of coastal change throughout the Bahamas.