Hurricane Joaquin Intensifies to Category 4

By LIZ TAURASI (Patch Staff) and Elizabeth Janney

Hurricane Joaquin is gathering strength, and the National Weather Service is calling it an extremely dangerous storm as it’s intensified to a Category 4.

Joaquin is currently bearing down on the Bahamas.

Residents along the East Coast are preparing for this storm even though it’s still too soon to tell how it will all play out as it travels north.

A graphic of the hurricane’s projected path, which is being updated constantly by the National Hurricane Center but is still very uncertain, predicts that the storm could approach the Mid-Atlantic by this weekend.

“Harford County should expect heavy rain ahead of the hurricane—especially Friday and Saturday...” Emergency Manager Rick Ayers said.

The ground was already wet from rain Tuesday night, he noted, making the area particularly vulnerable.

A tree fell on Putnam Road early Wednesday morning in Fallston, and multiple large tree limbs had fell Harford County from Tuesday’s overnight storm, according to preliminary information from the National Weather Service.

The rains coming Friday and lasting through the weekend may bring flooding, fallen power lines, downed trees and power outages, Ayers advised.

The forecast over the next few days calls for 5 to 10 inches of rain, according to Ayers.

“...the threat of flash flooding is a possibility,” Ayers said. He said winds may be above 30 mph.

Here’s how Harford County emergency officials say you can prepare:

• Ensure medications, medical supplies and first aid kit are in order.
• Have a flashlight and extra batteries.
• Check baby supplies and pet supplies.
• Charge cell phones.
• Stock up on bottled water and nonperishable food.

While driving, motorists are reminded to “turn around—don’t drown.” Emergency officials say 6 inches of water can knock someone down and 2 feet can sweep a vehicle away.

See more hurricane preparedness tips from Ready.gov.

Pictured, rain was flowing around the Watervale Road bridge, which is under construction, from storms on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Photo Credit: Harford County DPW Bureau of Highway Engineering.