This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7586226.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jamaica braced for storm arrival Gustav strengthens near Jamaica
(about 4 hours later)
Tropical Storm Gustav has strengthened towards renewed hurricane force as it approaches Jamaica, where residents have boarded up homes in preparation. Tropical Storm Gustav has been strengthening as it nears Jamaica, with meteorologists warning it could turn into a hurricane "at any time".
Gustav gathered force about 130km (80 miles) east of the capital Kingston and is expected to move "very close". At 1400 EDT (1800GMT) Gustav was just 65km (40 miles) east of Kingston and moving slowly towards the capital.
The storm has already claimed 22 lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.The storm has already claimed 22 lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
It is expected to head towards the US, prompting evacuation preparations in New Orleans, three years after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. It is expected to head towards the US, prompting evacuation preparations in New Orleans, three years after the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
It not clear where Tropical Storm Gustav will hit. Meteorologists say it could be anywhere from south Texas to Florida by Tuesday.
Workers were being evacuated from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Oil prices on trading markets rose amid forecasts that Gustav could threaten oil installations in the region.
'Life-threatening floods'
The Jamaican government has issued a hurricane warning, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Florida said. It is not clear where Gustav will hit the US. Meteorologists say it could be anywhere from south Texas to Florida by Tuesday.
See map of the regionSee map of the region
With maximum winds of 110km/h (70mph), the storm was nearly stationary off Jamaica's coast but was expected to pass "very close" later on Thursday. Workers were being evacuated from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, as oil prices on trading markets rose amid forecasts Gustav could threaten oil installations in the region.
'Possible hurricane'
Rain began lashing parts of Jamaica as the storm drew closer, as the Jamaican government has issued a hurricane warning, said the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida.
The NHC forecasts Gustav will strengthen after making landfall over Jamaica later on Thursday.
Packing maximum sustained winds of 110km/h (70mph), with some higher gusts, the storm is moving west at around 7km/h.
The aftermath of tropical storm Gustav in the Dominican RepublicThe aftermath of tropical storm Gustav in the Dominican Republic
A hurricane is defined by winds of 119km/h (74mph), according to the NHC.A hurricane is defined by winds of 119km/h (74mph), according to the NHC.
Emergency officials there have set up shelters and dispatched relief supplies to flood-prone areas.Emergency officials there have set up shelters and dispatched relief supplies to flood-prone areas.
A hurricane watch is also in effect for all the Cayman Islands, although Cuba has replaced a hurricane warning for its eastern Granma province with a tropical storm warning. On Friday, the storm is expected to move towards the Cayman Islands, where a hurricane watch is also in effect.
The centre warns that Gustav is also expected to produce heavy rainfall - up to 25 inches (64cm) in some places - over Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica and the Caymans. Cuba has replaced a hurricane warning for its eastern Granma province with a tropical storm warning.
The NHC warns that Gustav is also expected to produce heavy rainfall - up to 25 inches (64cm) in some places - over Jamaica and the Caymans.
"These rains will likely produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides," it said."These rains will likely produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides," it said.
Meanwhile, the US state of Louisiana and New Orleans are making their own preparations ahead of Gustav's arrival.Meanwhile, the US state of Louisiana and New Orleans are making their own preparations ahead of Gustav's arrival.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard.Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard.
New Orleans has also begun planning a possible mandatory evacuation, hoping to prevent the chaos it saw after Katrina, which struck the city three years ago on Friday.New Orleans has also begun planning a possible mandatory evacuation, hoping to prevent the chaos it saw after Katrina, which struck the city three years ago on Friday.
Gustav is the seventh tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.Gustav is the seventh tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Back to storyBack to story
Have you been affected by Gustav? Are you preparing for its arrival? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Have you been affected by Gustav? Are you preparing for its arrival? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
You can send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions You can send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
 Name