At this hour Jamaica is under ("only") a Tropical Storm Warning. It's a waiting game there now...
The current forecast calls for the system to be in the process of intensifying back to Hurricane strength as it passes just to the north of there tomorrow
"It a beautiful, bright sunny morning in the friendly of Montego Bay, Jamaica. The mood has changed; people seem less concerned than yesterday, now the threat of hurricane force winds have diminished. The head of AirJamaica said this morning all flight will run as scheduled now that the system is forecast to keep north of Jamaica. The airport will keep open, power and water will be up and running. It seems tomorrow will be business as usual here, but people should not get their guard down. The forecast calls for Heavy rains and gusts up to tropical storm force in squalls. Hotels along the North Coast are being warned of storm surges of up to 2 meters. So people should stay out of the water."
From Jamaica's Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management:
NEWS RELEASE #10
Issued on: Thursday August 28, 2008 at 6:30 am
Update: Tropical Storm Gustav
As Tropical Storm Gustav become better organized, the Met Office has replaced the Hurricane Warning for the entire island with immediate effect. A hurricane warning means that dangerous conditions could be experienced within the next 24 hours or less, these conditions include: high winds, flood producing rains and storm surges.
The public is being advised to treat the situation seriously, as the current path will see the storm moving along Jamaica’s SouthCoast, resulting in widespread impact.
Hurricane Safety Tips
The public is being urged to continue monitoring radios and televisions for further advisories and to avoid areas that are at risk from flooding and landslides. Also take the following precautions in the event of heavy rains:
1. Avoid flooded waterways, gullies, streams or rivers, either on foot or in vehicles.
2. Be ready to evacuate if you live in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
3. Decide on likely evacuation routes now. Plan to stay with family or friends in safer areas or in a public shelter and move to safety.
4. Wrap important personal items, family documents, and electrical appliances in plastic bags and store away from the reach of floodwaters.
5. All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, are advised to secure their vessels and remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), headquartered at the ODPEM’s offices at 12 Camp Road, Kingston 4, continues to be activated and closely monitoring the progress of T.S. Gustav.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the National Meteorological Service that rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Gustav is currently being experienced in the parishes of St. Thomas and Portland. As the system gradually moves closer to the island’s south coast, conditions could worsen in the vicinity of high winds, flood rains and storm surges.
Reports
The Jamaican Urban Transit Company is advising the public that its buses will be pulled from their routes beginning at 11:00am today
NROC, operators of the toll roads has advised that all Toll Booths will be opened at 12:00 noon
Given the current situation, evacuation orders have been issued for the areas on the attached sheet
THE NATIONAL ARENA WILL NOT BE OPEN – MOTORISTS ARE BEING ASKED TO MAKE THEIR WAY VIA THE PRIORTY ROUTES IDENTIFIED TO TAKE THEM OUT OF PORTMORE. PERSONS SHOULD FIRST STAY WITH RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OUTSIDE THE AREA. RESIDENTS WHO HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS WILL MOVE TO THE NEAREST ASSEMBLY POINT WHERE THEY WILL BE PICKED UP BY THE JUTC BUSES OR MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE NEAREST SHELTER.
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Residents, tourists and oil workers fled as Gustav swamped Jamaica on Thursday, leaving 59 people dead in its wake. Louisiana and Texas put their national guards on standby, and New Orleans said a mandatory evacuation might be necessary.
At least 51 people died in Haiti from floods, mudslides and falling trees, including 25 around the city of Jacmel, where Gustav first struck land Tuesday. Eight more people were buried when a cliff gave way in the Dominican Republic. Marcelina Feliz died clutching her 11-month-old baby, and five more children were smothered in the wreckage beside her.
I just copied and pasted from another forum...sorry!!
This is a good place for information...Unfortunately, Jamaica has a lot of mountainous areas that flooding and mudslides were bad. My girlfriend, in Ochos Rios, says that the wind was moderate (with some big time gusts) and the rain was torrential. BUT...for a tropical system, was pretty mild. The biggest problem they had was the speed at which it was moving (or wasn't moving) - When you get a heavy rain storm that doesnt move...well, duh - Lots and Lots of rain...
The Caymans are so flat - no mudslides...And the water around Grand Cayman is so shallow, that there shouldnt be any problems with surge...The wind is picking up, but like they said - anything that can be "blown away" was gone 3 years ago. A lot of rain and a slow moving storm - that could be a problem. I'm more worried about the ecological impacts...I remember a day when the reefs off Coz were amazing - and they are not much to brag about these days, from what I hear. I will get to see first hand in November...
I am a weather geek - I'm watching all the models and projections...I still question landfall - I think it will be East of the Big Easy, but I dunno...with it moving so gosh darn slow, its hard to predict anything but a deluge of water from the heavens...
Strengthening? Probably - warm, deep water - steering currents - shifting high pressure...But remember he is quite small...nothing like Katrina was. So, if we can get him moving more than 5kt, things may be ok...
Prayers
(I also have a GOOD FRIEND on Grand Bahama...you can bet we will be in touch!)
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