Checking on Jamaica…

Lots of waiting and watching in Jamaica on this Sunday as Hurricane Dean bears down on the island. The powerful storm took a slight jog to the south last evening, one that mide give wide enough berth to prevent severe devatation there. But, a jog back to the right could happen just as easily.

FAST FACTS…7 AM CDT
LOCATION: 16.8 N…74.3 W…or 185 miles ESE of KINGSTON
MOVEMENT: WNW-18 MPH
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…145 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…921 MB

Here is the text of an early morning press release from Jamaica Emergency Management…

MEDIA HOUSES ARE BEING ASKED TO REPEAT THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES OUTLINED DURING PROGRAMMES

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the Meteorological Service of Jamaica that a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica as Hurricane Dean continues to approach Jamaica.

A Hurricane Warning means that conditions such as winds, rain and storm surges are likely to affect the island within 24 hours.

The ODPEM is advising the public to take the following precautions:

1. Stay tuned to the news and weather reports and listen out for emergency instructions, if any should be given.
2. Remain calm. Do not panic. Your ability to act logically is important during stressful events like a hurricane.
3. Wrap important documents such as passports, deeds and titles, birth certificates, ID cards, insurance policies in plastic and take them with you.
4. Ensure that adequate water is stored for domestic purposes.
5. Move furniture away from windows.
6. Check your arrangements for household pets. If you have made arrangements for them to be kept elsewhere, take them there now. If they are staying with you, make sure they have adequate food and water.
7. If your roof should come off and if the house or building shows signs of breaking up get in the closet or the bathtub and pull the mattress over your body for protection.
8. If you are away from home remain where you are until the storm has passed. Many people lose their lives trying to get from place to place during a hurricane.
9. There will be a brief period of calm weather. This is called the eye of the hurricane. It usually lasts for only a short while – from a few minutes to half and hour or more – and the winds return from the opposite direction. Please do not be fooled into thinking that the storm is over. Remain inside.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, the Salvation Army and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Churches will be established as Registration Centres for affected persons and distribution centres for relief items.

The progress of Hurricane Dean will continue to be closely monitored by the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and updates will be released to the public as soon as new information has been gathered.

Contact: Kerry-Ann Morris, Information Officer, kmorris@odpem.org.jm

The outer rain bands of Dean are reaching Jamaica now. Go here for a radar mosaic from the Cuban Meteorological Institute that shows Cuba and Jamaica.

Here is the latest satellite image…

All signs are that the winds are down a little now. But the central pressure is extremely low and could go lower. The winds are bound to follow eventually. Hurricane force winds extend out 60 miles. It is going to be a close call on Jamaica.

Spot reports as of 6 a.m. CDT…
KINGSTON/NORMAN MANLEY AIRPORT
Cloudy, 84F, dewpoint 71F, wind NNW 12, pressure 29.71
MONTEGO BAY/SANGSTER
Partly cloudy, thunder. Temp/DP: 84F/78F. Wind NE-7. Pressure 29.85.

Rainfall will average 5-10 inches on Jamaica with 20 inches possible. A 7-9 foot storm surge with powerful waves will pound the coast. A hurricane warning is in effect.

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