Reports from local governments and news agencies in the Caribbean

Record-Breaking Hurricane Oscar Rapidly Intensifies North of Hispaniola

Oct 19, 2024, 03:47 PM

Hurricane Oscar has rapidly intensified north of Hispaniola, becoming the 15th named storm of the record-breaking 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Oscar, previously known as Invest 94L, has surprised meteorologists with its swift development and compact size. Reconnaissance aircraft have found maximum sustained winds of at least 70 mph and a minimum central pressure around 991 mb. Oscar's pressure dropped 7 mb in under an hour, indicating that rapid intensification is underway. Despite its strengthening, Oscar is not expected to pose a threat to Florida or the United States, as it is forecast to turn northeast away from land due to a cold front. This season has now seen the most named storm formations on record between September 24 and October 19, breaking the previous record set in 1950.