Jamaica Feeling the First of Hurricane Dean – Radar and Updates from the Island

Teri Nichols updates from Jamaica:

The beginning of the effects of Dean are becoming obvious. The wind has picked up, you can already hear it. Visability has decreased over the ocean and seas are swelling with 4-6 ft waves hitting the coast of Stewart town.Temperature is still very warm. Rain is light, but ominous black clouds are in the distance. We have moved everything downstairs to an area that has a concrete ceiling and are prepared to move down and ride this “guy” out . We still have power but do not expect to have it last much longer. You could still hear hammering up and down the road, we pray everyone is battoned down as there is not much more time.

Good luck everyone and God Bless you. Will post as long as we have power

Cuban radar will give you a look at the storm hitting Jamaica. You can see the outer bands now. There is a small amount of good news though. Well, more like hope for good news:

Jamaica is already receiving high winds and heavy rain from an outer spiral band. How bad will it get? The big question is if the eyewall will move over the island. Unfortunately for Jamaica, Dean has two eyewalls, forming concentric rings (Figure 1). The inner eyewall is 15 miles in diameter, and the outer eyewall is 37 miles in diameter. Winds of Category 3 and 4 strength are blowing in both eyewalls, as seen in the latest data from the SFMR surface winds taken by the Hurricane Hunters. So, Dean’s center has to pass more than 25 miles south of Jamaica for the island to be spared the worst of the hurricane. The nation’s capital, Kingston, lies on the southern portion of the island, and will be the hardest-hit major city. The tourist city of Montego Bay is on the northern part of Jamaica, and will fare much better.

The same story holds true for the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman, the southernmost of the islands, it at greatest risk. If Dean passes more than 30 miles south of the island, they will miss seeing the outer eyewall of Dean and will fare relatively well. It’s going to be a close call, but it appears that both Jamaica and the Cayman will miss seeing the eyewall of Dean.

These people are going to have a tough time regardless. I’ll post resources for those looking to help after the storm passes.

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