Gabrielle Set to Strike Azores Tonight, Authorities Urge Preparations
Hurricane Gabrielle is set to hit the Azores tonight, bringing hurricane conditions, dangerous storm surges, and large waves across the island chain.
Authorities have issued a hurricane warning for all of the islands as residents brace for the storm.
As of 3pm GMT, Gabrielle was located about 732 kilometres west of the Azores, moving east at 52 kilometres per hour.
Maximum sustained winds were recorded at 120 kilometres per hour, with higher gusts expected as the storm approaches. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 48 kilometres from the storm’s centre and tropical-storm-force winds up to 298 kilometres.
The storm is expected to produce 75 to 125 millimetres of rain across the central islands, with flash flooding possible in mountainous areas. The western and eastern islands may see 25 to 75 millimetres of rain. Coastal flooding is likely in areas facing onshore winds, and the storm surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Swells from Gabrielle are also expected to create dangerous surf and rip currents across the region.
Authorities are urging residents to complete preparations to protect life and property. The National Hurricane Center has said Gabrielle will weaken over the weekend as it moves east-southeast, eventually transitioning to an extratropical low.
