Hurricane Frances is Dangerous and Heading Toward the U.S. and Virgin Islands

Miami, FL (HDW) August 31, 2004 - Hurricane Frances is moving toward the west at near 15 MPH according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A gradual turn toward the west-northwest is expected during the next 24 hours. Hurricane Frances is expected to make land fall in Florida by early Saturday morning.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the southeastern Bahamas, which includes Great Inagua, Little Inagua, Mayaguana, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Hurricane Frances will pass to the north of the Virgin Islands today. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the islands of St. Marteen, Anguilla, St. Eustatius, Saba, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for St. Martin, St. Croix, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

At 8:00 AM, the center of Hurricane Frances was located about 200 miles (325 KM) east-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The maximum sustained winds have increased to 135 MPH (215 KM/HR) with even higher gusts. Hurricane force winds are extending 70 miles (110 KM) from the center of the hurricane. Rainfall amounts from 1 to 3 inches are expected over portions of the warning area.