Dean Ploughs Nearer

Published 19th August, 6:59pm

Hurricane Dean is now moving in a direction between west and west northwest and is expected to continue this motion over the next 24 hours. If the current forecast holds, the maximum sustained winds that will be felt in the Cayman Islands will be between 60 and 70 mph. Tropical storm force winds are between 39 and 74 mph.

In its current motion, it is expected to affect the Sister Islands around mid-night tonight (Sunday), with abatement occurring by mid-day Monday. Grand Cayman should begin feeling the effects some two hours after midnight Monday morning. By 5 pm Monday the tropical storm force winds should have abated.

With regard to storm surge, at this time storm surge of some one to three feet may be experienced at the south and south west and North Sound areas. The highest wave action is likely to be experienced first in the east coastal areas, followed by the southern coastal zones and on to the West Bay peninsula. The highest wave action could be up to 15 to 20 feet. Sister Islands should experience about four to six feet.

Rainfall is not expected to be high, with predictions of some one to two inches Sunday night through to Monday night, gradually diminishing.

At 4:00 pm local (Cayman) time, the centre of Hurricane Dean was located near latitude 17.3 north and longitude 76.8 west or 50 miles south of Kingston Jamaica and 320 miles east south east from Grand Cayman. Dean continues to move toward the west near 20 mph with maximum sustained winds near 145 mph with higher gusts.

The minimum central pressure was 930 MB.

Dean is a highly dangerous Category Four storm. Hurricane force winds extend 60 miles outward from the centre and TS-force winds range 205 miles outwards.

Chairman's Comments: NHC Chairman Donovan Ebanks reminds residents to be prepared to hunker down and avoid being outdoors until the system moves beyond Cayman and the all clear is announced.

Further announcements will follow as the situation develops so everyone is urged to stay tuned to media channels.

For more information, log on to www.CaymanPrepared.ky.

For further information contact: Pat Ebanks