Hurricane Joaquin began slowly moving away from the Bahamas Saturday, after two days of heavy rains and winds that caused major floods, destroyed homes and left a 790-foot cargo ship with more than 30 crew members missing.
At noon Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said Joaquin was a Category 4 hurricane with 155 mph winds and was beginning to speed toward the northeast at 16 mph.
The track has the storm moving away from the United States but headed toward Bermuda.
A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch have been issued for Bermuda.
The island may begin feeling tropical storm conditions by Sunday morning with potential hurricane conditions coming later in the day.
The NHC said strong winds and rain will continue to impact parts of the central and southeastern Bahamas.
The U.S. Coast Guard also continued its search for the El Faro Saturday.
The cargo ship with a 33-person crew, including 28 Americans, has been missing since Thursday.