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Jamaica lashed by tropical storm | |
(about 18 hours later) | |
Tropical Storm Gustav has battered Jamaica with heavy rains and strong winds, tearing the roofs off houses. | |
The storm, with maximum sustained winds of up to 110km/h (70mph), is expected to strengthen into a "major hurricane". | |
It is forecast to hit the US in the coming days, prompting evacuation plans in New Orleans, three years after the city was hit by Hurricane Katrina. | |
Gustav has claimed the lives of more than 50 people in Haiti, and at least eight in the Dominican Republic. | |
Heavy rain and winds began lashing eastern parts of Jamaica as the storm struck late on Thursday, raising fears of mudslides and flash floods as seen in Haiti. | |
The streets of the capital, Kingston, were said to be deserted. See map of the region | |
Gustav was forecast to move towards the Cayman Islands later on Friday, where residents were boarding up windows and stocking up on supplies of food and fuel. | |
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. | 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. |
Hurricane threat | |
The Miami-based US National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts Gustav will strengthen into a "major hurricane" by Saturday. | |
The aftermath of tropical storm Gustav in the Dominican Republic | The 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. |
Across the Cayman Islands, non-essential government employees were sent home on Thursday afternoon ahead of the storm's expected arrival. | |
Cayman Airways added 25 extra flights to their schedules in an effort to evacuate tourists and residents wanting to get off the islands. | Cayman Airways added 25 extra flights to their schedules in an effort to evacuate tourists and residents wanting to get off the islands. |
But officials said they were not expecting a significant storm surge for Grand Cayman - which came as a welcome relief to islanders as much of the island sits just metres above sea-level. | But officials said they were not expecting a significant storm surge for Grand Cayman - which came as a welcome relief to islanders as much of the island sits just metres above sea-level. |
Cuba has replaced a hurricane warning for its eastern Granma province with a tropical storm warning. | Cuba has replaced a hurricane warning for its eastern Granma province with a tropical storm warning. |
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. |
Meteorologists say the storm could make landfall in the US anywhere from south Texas to Florida by Tuesday. | Meteorologists say the storm could make landfall in the US anywhere from south Texas to Florida by Tuesday. |
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 story | Back 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. |