Ministry of Local Government & Environment

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Hurricane Dean 3.45 p.m. August 19, 2007

The center of Powerful Hurricane Dean is now just 70 miles away from Kingston, Jamaica. Hurricane-force winds are now likely in full gear especially across the southeastern portion of the island nation. Waves are battering the southern and eastern shore and torrential rains have begun.

As Hurricane Dean heads west-northwest, the northern end of its eyewall is now beginning to unleash a harsh blow to Jamaica this afternoon and into the evening hours. The eastern half of Jamaica will first feel the effects of Dean while the western half will deal with the worst from Dean later this evening.

Rainfall amounts will be in the 5 to 10 inch range with some areas receiving as much as 20 inches. The heavy rains will lead to life-threatening mudslides.

Dean could be the strongest hurricane to strike Jamaica since 1950: stronger than Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 which was a category three when it crossed the island from end to end.

After Jamaica, Dean's forecast track takes the powerful hurricane south of the island of Grand Cayman on Monday. Although not a direct hit, the Cayman Islands will deal with battering waves, high surge, and rainfall amounts on the order of 4 to 8 inches with some totals nearing a foot of rain.

By Monday night and Tuesday, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico will feel impacts from Hurricane Dean. Resort areas of Cancun and Cozumel should be prepared for this powerful hurricane.

Numerous hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings are in place for the various Caribbean islands including a hurricane warning for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Remember that watches mean that conditions are possible within 36 hours; warnings mean that conditions are expected within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the book has not been closed on Tropical Depression Erin. After drenching Texas from the Gulf Coast to the Texas Hill Country to the Panhandle during the latter half of last week, a re-energized Erin unleashed even more tropical downpours over Oklahoma.

During a 6 to 12 hour period from late Saturday night through Sunday morning, tremendous rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches fell over the west-central part of the state. The extreme rainfall has left parts of west-central Oklahoma under water and many people in life-threatening situations. Numerous high water rescues (from roof tops and stranded cars) have been in progress during the morning and afternoon hours.

The eye of TD Erin then drifted to the east directly over Oklahoma City during the mid-morning hours producing flooding rains and winds gusts between 50 and 60 mph across the capital city. The remnants of Erin have weakened since this morning as they drift towards the northeastern part of the state.

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