Weatherchart showing an ordinary low east off the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina
A cold high south of the low is slowly moving eastwards along its latitude
The day when the low has developed into a hurricane. The position seems to be a little westerly
The eye of the hurricane passes right over the island
Here follows the weather-forecasts available at the Swedish Met Office in Norrkoping
May 18 12UTC +72 hours May 18 12UTC +96 hours 
May 19 12UTC +48 hours May 19 12UTC +60 hours May 19 12UTC +72 hours 
May 20 12UTC +24 hours May 20 12UTC +36 hours 
Even the forecasts made on May 16th and 17th shows a similar picture for May 21-22.
Weathercharts – courtesy of SMHI/ECMWF
Satellite images here
John Ekwall, SMHI (Swedish Met Office) June 22, 2001