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Jamaicans start to feel hurricane Hurricane batters Jamaica's south
(40 minutes later)
Jamaica is starting to feel the effects of the approaching Hurricane Dean, with reports of heavy rains and mudslides. Hurricane Dean has begun lashing the south coast of Jamaica, ripping off roofs and triggering mudslides.
Correspondents say the storm is gaining in intensity with every passing minute and there are reports of flooding in the east of the Caribbean island.Correspondents say the storm is gaining in intensity with every passing minute and there are reports of flooding in the east of the Caribbean island.
PM Portia Simpson Miller urged the evacuation of low-lying areas, but reports say many are ignoring the call.PM Portia Simpson Miller urged the evacuation of low-lying areas, but reports say many are ignoring the call.
Dean has already brought winds of 230km/h (145mph) and claimed at least six lives in the eastern Caribbean.Dean has already brought winds of 230km/h (145mph) and claimed at least six lives in the eastern Caribbean.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic were spared the worst as Dean passed to the south overnight - damage was limited to flooding in coastal areas.Haiti and the Dominican Republic were spared the worst as Dean passed to the south overnight - damage was limited to flooding in coastal areas.
See a detailed map of the regionSee a detailed map of the region
But Jamaica is preparing to feel its full force. But Jamaica has been preparing to feel its full force.
The US National Hurricane Center said the eye of the storm was "a few miles" south of the island.The US National Hurricane Center said the eye of the storm was "a few miles" south of the island.
Correspondents say roofs have been ripped off houses in the capital, Kingston, and streets were blocked by toppled trees and utility poles. Correspondents say roofs have been ripped off houses in the capital, Kingston, and streets were blocked by toppled trees and lampposts.
Looting has been reported in the central parish of Clarendon, where police officers were involved in a shoot-out with looters at a shopping centre, the Associated Press reported.
Airports have been closed, a 48-hour curfew is in place and the island's power company switched off electricity. The US has said it is prepared to fly in aid if necessary.Airports have been closed, a 48-hour curfew is in place and the island's power company switched off electricity. The US has said it is prepared to fly in aid if necessary.
People are very quiet and suppressed. There's a lot of fear around Suzanne Dodd Kingston, JamaicaBBC News website reader Dean: Readers' updates 'Up there with the biggest'People are very quiet and suppressed. There's a lot of fear around Suzanne Dodd Kingston, JamaicaBBC News website reader Dean: Readers' updates 'Up there with the biggest'
Mrs Simpson Miller, who has asked Jamaicans to deal with the crisis as a family, told people in flood-prone areas: "For the last time, I'm asking you to leave or you will be in danger."Mrs Simpson Miller, who has asked Jamaicans to deal with the crisis as a family, told people in flood-prone areas: "For the last time, I'm asking you to leave or you will be in danger."
But officials feared her warnings were going unheeded, with many people concerned their homes would be robbed if they left.But officials feared her warnings were going unheeded, with many people concerned their homes would be robbed if they left.
About 1,000 emergency shelters have been opened, but the Associated Press reported that just 47 were occupied.About 1,000 emergency shelters have been opened, but the Associated Press reported that just 47 were occupied.
Byron Thompson, a resident of Port Royal near Kingston, told Reuters he was "going nowhere".Byron Thompson, a resident of Port Royal near Kingston, told Reuters he was "going nowhere".
"In fact, if you come by here later today you will see me drinking rum over in that bar with some friends," he said."In fact, if you come by here later today you will see me drinking rum over in that bar with some friends," he said.
As heavy rain began to fall, there were reports of mudslides north of Kingston and the St Mary area on the island's north-east coast.As heavy rain began to fall, there were reports of mudslides north of Kingston and the St Mary area on the island's north-east coast.
High alertHigh alert
Areas of the Cayman Islands and Mexican coast are also being evacuated, amid meteorological reports the storm could intensify into a Category Five hurricane after it leaves Jamaica.Areas of the Cayman Islands and Mexican coast are also being evacuated, amid meteorological reports the storm could intensify into a Category Five hurricane after it leaves Jamaica.
We are aware that the hurricane is in fact positioned for a likely direct hit and as such we have pulled out all our response agencies Krechet Creaves official in Jamaica's emergency planning department In pictures: Hurricane DeanWe are aware that the hurricane is in fact positioned for a likely direct hit and as such we have pulled out all our response agencies Krechet Creaves official in Jamaica's emergency planning department In pictures: Hurricane Dean
In the US, the return of the space shuttle Endeavour was brought forward by a day in a bid to beat the hurricane should it eventually reach Texas, where Nasa's mission control is based.In the US, the return of the space shuttle Endeavour was brought forward by a day in a bid to beat the hurricane should it eventually reach Texas, where Nasa's mission control is based.
Rough waves damaged buildings on the coast of the Dominican Republic and thousands of people were left without electricity and took refuge in schools and churches on the Haitian island of Gonave.Rough waves damaged buildings on the coast of the Dominican Republic and thousands of people were left without electricity and took refuge in schools and churches on the Haitian island of Gonave.
Six deaths have been confirmed as a result of Dean:Six deaths have been confirmed as a result of Dean:
  • A boy was swept out to sea and drowned in the Dominican Republic's capital, Santo Domingo
  • A boy was swept out to sea and drowned in the Dominican Republic's capital, Santo Domingo
  • In Martinique, a woman in her early 80s died of a suspected heart attack during the hurricane's passage while a man died after sustaining a fall
  • In Martinique, a woman in her early 80s died of a suspected heart attack during the hurricane's passage while a man died after sustaining a fall
  • 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
  • A man aged 62 was swept away and drowned when he tried to retrieve a cow from a rain-swollen river
  • A man aged 62 was swept away and drowned when he tried to retrieve a cow from a rain-swollen river
    • 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.
    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.
    Find out more about how to send your pictures and to read terms and conditionsFind out more about how to send your pictures and to read terms and conditions
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