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Jamaica alert as Dean threatens Jamaica alert as Dean threatens
(40 minutes later)
Jamaicans are frantically stocking up on supplies and tourists are scrambling to leave, as Hurricane Dean bears down on the Caribbean island.Jamaicans are frantically stocking up on supplies and tourists are scrambling to leave, as Hurricane Dean bears down on the Caribbean island.
Jamaica is braced for a direct hit from Dean, the season's first major storm.Jamaica is braced for a direct hit from Dean, the season's first major storm.
The country's authorities have closed airports and imposed curfews, and the US has said it is prepared to fly in aid if necessary.The country's authorities have closed airports and imposed curfews, and the US has said it is prepared to fly in aid if necessary.
Winds of 230km/h (145mph) from the hurricane have battered the eastern Caribbean, leaving at least four dead.Winds of 230km/h (145mph) from the hurricane have battered the eastern Caribbean, leaving at least four dead.
Haiti is also preparing for the worst, as forecasters predict the storm will crash into the country's south-west coast in the next few hours. Haiti and the Dominican Republic have also been affected, with heavy rain and high seas causing flooding in some coastal areas.
'Band together''Band together'
Jamaica has converted schools, churches and the indoor national sports arena into emergency shelters.Jamaica has converted schools, churches and the indoor national sports arena into emergency shelters.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller has called for off-duty police officers, firefighters and prison warders to report for work to help prepare for the storm.Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller has called for off-duty police officers, firefighters and prison warders to report for work to help prepare for the storm.
See a detailed map of the regionSee a detailed map of the region
She has also halted campaigning for elections, due to be held on 27 August.She has also halted campaigning for elections, due to be held on 27 August.
"Let us band together and unite in the threat of this hurricane," she said."Let us band together and unite in the threat of this hurricane," she said.
We are just getting ready - filling up the bath with water, unplugging all the computers at work and covering them with polythene bags; taping the windows John TownendKingston, JamaicaBBC News website reader Dean: Readers' updates Hurricane: In picturesWe are just getting ready - filling up the bath with water, unplugging all the computers at work and covering them with polythene bags; taping the windows John TownendKingston, JamaicaBBC News website reader Dean: Readers' updates Hurricane: In pictures
Thousands of tourists queued at airports, desperate to get flights out before the storm hits.Thousands of tourists queued at airports, desperate to get flights out before the storm hits.
Dutch tourist Gideon Tuttezs, queuing at Montego Bay's airport, told Reuters: "If we don't manage to leave we'll go back to the hotel and barricade the hotel room and then hope and pray."Dutch tourist Gideon Tuttezs, queuing at Montego Bay's airport, told Reuters: "If we don't manage to leave we'll go back to the hotel and barricade the hotel room and then hope and pray."
Some areas have been placed under a 48-hour curfew, starting at 1800 on Saturday (2300 GMT), and regions prone to flooding are being evacuated.Some areas have been placed under a 48-hour curfew, starting at 1800 on Saturday (2300 GMT), and regions prone to flooding are being evacuated.
In other parts of the Caribbean:In other parts of the Caribbean:
  • Cayman Airways has put on 15 extra flights from the Cayman Islands to Florida, as thousands flee the British territory
  • Cayman Airways has put on 15 extra flights from the Cayman Islands to Florida, as thousands flee the British territory
  • In Cuba, tens of thousands of people in the east of the country are being evacuated and officials said tourist programmes had been suspended
  • In Cuba, tens of thousands of people in the east of the country are being evacuated and officials said tourist programmes had been suspended
  • Officials in the French territory of Martinique have estimated the damage caused by the hurricane will cost more than 150m euros ($200m; £100m) to repair
  • Officials in the French territory of Martinique have estimated the damage caused by the hurricane will cost more than 150m euros ($200m; £100m) to repair
  • A state of emergency has been declared in Mexico, where the government is preparing to evacuate thousands of tourists and close down oil production.
  • A state of emergency has been declared in Mexico, where the government is preparing to evacuate thousands of tourists and close down oil production.
    • Hurricane Dean is building up strength as it passes through the Caribbean.Hurricane Dean is building up strength as it passes through the Caribbean.
    Forecasters say it may achieve the highest category, five, by the time it reaches Mexico on Monday.Forecasters say it may achieve the highest category, five, by the time it reaches Mexico on Monday.
    Swept awaySwept away
    Rough waves damaged buildings on the coast of the Dominican Republic, and a boy was reported drowned and several people were injured in the capital Santo Domingo.Rough waves damaged buildings on the coast of the Dominican Republic, and a boy was reported drowned and several people were injured in the capital Santo Domingo.
    Dean earlier visited destruction on the islands of St Lucia, Martinique and Dominica, with roofs ripped off and banana plantations flattened.Dean earlier visited destruction on the islands of St Lucia, Martinique and Dominica, with roofs ripped off and banana plantations flattened.
    In Dominica, a landslide crushed a woman and her seven-year-old son while they slept in their home.In Dominica, a landslide crushed a woman and her seven-year-old son while they slept in their home.
    In St Lucia, a 62-year-old man was swept away and drowned when he tried to retrieve a cow from a rain-swollen river.In St Lucia, a 62-year-old man was swept away and drowned when he tried to retrieve a cow from a rain-swollen river.
    On the island of Gonave, west of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, thousands of people have been left without electricity and have taken refuge in schools and churches, Associated Press reports.
    Are you in the Caribbean? Have you been affected by Hurricane Dean or are you preparing for it to pass? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the Caribbean? Have you been affected by Hurricane Dean or are you preparing for it to pass? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
    Find out more about how to send your pictures Find out more about how to send your pictures
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