Powerful Hurricane Dean Threatens Jamaica
Posted on August 19, 2007
Jamaica is facing a serious threat from Hurricane Dean - a powerful category 4 hurricane that has tracked westward since it formed in the far eastern Atlantic. The storm packs winds of 145 mph and there is a possibility of additional strengthening. There is some hope that the eye of Hurricane Dean could stay south of the island nation but even if this happens Jamaica will still certainly feel a major impact from Dean.
Jamaica has a large population of nearly 3 million residents. Many of them live in poor housing that is not capable of withstanding a powerful Cat 4 or Cat 5 hurricane. This Sun-Sentinel story about the approaching monster hurricane says that "few of Jamaica's smaller towns have homes built to modern codes." If Dean's powerful eyewall does cross over Jamaica it will be a major disaster.
Jamaica has experienced major hurricanes before. Hurricane Gilbert passed right over Jamaica on September 12th, 1988 as a category Category 4 hurricane with 135 mph winds. Jamaica was also hit by Hurricane Charlie in 1951. Jamaica was also recently dealt glancing blows from Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Lili. If Dean crosses Jamaica at its current strength it will be the most powerful hurricane to impact Jamaica in recent history. This page shows a couple hurricanes from the 1910s that may have been almost as powerful as Hurricane Dean.
You can keep up with live local happenings from Jamaica on the StormCarib Jamaica page and on Go-Jamaica 106 Power radio.
Beyond Jamaica Dean is forecast to threaten the northern Yucatan peninsula and then cross into the Bay of Campeche and make its final landfall on the northern Mexico coast. The Texas coast is not out of the woods but the National Hurricane Center's forecast track has been shifting to the south.