Jamaica has issued mandatory evacuation orders for coastal areas, per a storm
correspondent at Storm Carib:
http://stormcarib.com/reports/current/jamaica.shtml----------
This will be a very short blog as I have to rush my
preparation to completion.Below is the latest bullet
from the metoffice.
The prime minister has issued mandatory evacuation
order .Persons along coastal areas particularly the
South Coast will be urged to evacuate to shelters this
will begin this afternoon.
BULLETIN No. 9
*** HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA ***
A HURRICANE WARNING remains in effect for Jamaica as
dangerous Hurricane Dean continues on a path towards
the island. This means that the following dangerous
effects of a hurricane are expected to affect Jamaica
in 24 hours or less:
Dangerously high water and/or exceptionally high
waves, even though winds expected may be less than
hurricane force; or
Average winds of 118 km/h (64 knots or 75 mph) or
higher.
At 1:00 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Dean was located
near Latitude 15.9 degrees North, Longitude 69.4
degrees West. This is about 285 km (175 miles) south
of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, or 730 km
(460miles) east-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.
Dean is moving towards the west-northwest near 28 km/h
(17 mph) and a general west to west-northwestward
motion is expected to continue during the next 24
hours.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 240 km/h (150
mph), with higher gusts, and fluctuations in strength
are forecast during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force
winds extend outward approximately 95 km (60 miles),
while tropical storm force winds extend as far as 335
km (205 miles) from the centre.
On the current forecast track, Hurricane Dean is
expected to continue moving south of Hispaniola today
and early Sunday before tracking across Jamaica on
Sunday afternoon. Outer bands of the hurricane could,
however, start affecting the island by late tonight
with increasing cloudiness, showers and gusty winds.
As the centre of Dean moves closer to the coastline,
expect heavy rainfall capable of producing severe
flash floods and landslides. Storm surge flooding of
1.5-3 metres above normal tide levels along with large
and dangerous battering waves can be expected near the
centre of Dean, especially in areas of sustained
hurricane-force winds.
All small craft operators are reminded to remain in
safe harbour until all warning messages have been
lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to
normal.
All interests should continue to monitor subsequent
Releases from the Meteorological Service. The next
Bulletin on Hurricane Dean will be issued at 5:00 p.m.