NEW YORK CITY — Hurricane Joaquin gained strength overnight and is expected to move through the Caribbean Wednesday — with a possibility it could impact the five boroughs with heavy rains and wind, experts said.
The storm, which was upgraded to a hurricane late Tuesday, is expected to move near the Bahamas tonight into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
It will bring sustained winds of 75 mph with the possibility of it gaining strength over the following two days.
Current models show a possibility of the storm traveling up towards the Carolinas by early Sunday morning, NWS said.
If it does travel up to New York City, it could — at a minimum — bring more rain across the five boroughs, which is already set for a deluge.
The city can expect up to three inches of rain through Wednesday night, with wind gusts reaching 25 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
It will continue to rain on and off through Sunday night.
As for Joaquin's impact, it's "just too early to tell" what New Yorkers should expect, according to Dennis Feltgen from the National Hurricane Center.
He said residents should pay attention — but still prepare for any scenario.
"There's only two things people should be doing right now," Feltgen said. "One is to pay attention to the latest advisories. Two, check your hurricane plan. Make sure you have your supplies in case you need them."
