NHC Declares Warning

Published 18th August, 10:48pm

Cayman's National Hurricane Committee (NHC) declared a warning for the Cayman Islands at 10 p.m. tonight (Saturday, 18 August). The warning means that the Cayman Islands could begin experiencing tropical storm or hurricane conditions within 24 hours from the declaration.

At 10 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Dean was located near latitude 16.2 north, longitude 71.1 west, or about 360 miles (580 km) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 170 miles (275 km) south-southeast of Port Au Prince, Haiti.

Dean is moving toward the west near 17 mph (28 km per hour) and a west or west-northwest motion is expected during the next 24 hours. On this track the core of the hurricane will pass just south of the southern coast of Haiti overnight, and will be near Jamaica on Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 145 mph (230 km per hour) with higher gusts. Dean is an extremely dangerous category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center, and tropical force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km).

The minimum central pressure is 918 mb, 27.11 inches.

Comment by Chairman:

NHC Chairman Donovan Ebanks has said that while the 10 p.m. hurricane advisory projects a slightly more favourable path, everyone should continue to be vigilant.

He said that the NHC will meet tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., and that further announcements will be made.

Details of Weather System:

Latitude:16.2 north

Longitude:71.1 west

Proximity: 360 miles (580 km) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica

Maximum sustained wind speed: 145 mph (230 km per hour) with higher gusts

Further information:

Following the 10:30 a.m. NHC meeting tomorrow (Sunday, 19 August).

For more information log onto www.CaymanPrepared.ky

For further information contact: Pat Ebanks