5pm UPDATE: HURRICANE WARNING ISSUED FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS, Matthew moving north

HURRICANE WARNING ISSUED FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS
LIFE-THREATENING RAIN, WIND, STORM SURGE EXPECTED IN PARTS OF HAITI TONIGHT

The government of the Bahamas has issued a Hurricane Warning for

the Central Bahamas, including Long Island, Exuma, Rum Cay, San
Salvador, and Cat Island, and a Hurricane Watch for the northwestern
Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry Islands, Bimini,
Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence.







At 500 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located
near latitude 16.3 North, longitude 74.7 West. Matthew is moving
toward the north near 7 mph (11 km/h).  A northward motion at a
faster forward speed is expected through Tuesday night.  A turn
toward the north-northwest is forecast on Wednesday.  On the
forecast track, the center of Matthew will approach southwestern
Haiti tonight, move near eastern Cuba late Tuesday, and move near or
over portions of the southeastern and central Bahamas Tuesday night
and Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Matthew is a dangerous category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-
Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Some fluctuations in intensity are
possible during the next couple of days, but Matthew is expected to
remain a powerful hurricane through Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles
(295 km).

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of the Bahamas has issued a Hurricane Warning for
the Central Bahamas, including Long Island, Exuma, Rum Cay, San
Salvador, and Cat Island, and a Hurricane Watch for the northwestern
Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry Islands, Bimini,
Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Jamaica
* Haiti
* Cuban provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Granma,
and Las Tunas
* Southeastern Bahamas, including the Inaguas, Mayaguana, Acklins,
Crooked Island, Long Cay, and Ragged Island
* Central Bahamas, including Long Island, Exuma, Rum Cay, San
Salvador, and Cat Island

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Cuban province of Camaguey
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* Northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry
Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Dominican Republic from Barahona westward to the border with Haiti

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Dominican Republic from Puerto Plata westward to the border with
Haiti


A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area.  A warning is typically issued
36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-
force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.  Preparations to protect life and property should be
rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.  A watch is typically issued 48 hours
before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.