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Hurricane batters Jamaica's south Hurricane batters Jamaica's south
(40 minutes later)
Trees have been uprooted and roofs ripped off houses in southern Jamaica, as Hurricane Dean's devastating journey through the Caribbean continues.Trees have been uprooted and roofs ripped off houses in southern Jamaica, as Hurricane Dean's devastating journey through the Caribbean continues.
PM Portia Simpson Miller declared a month-long state of emergency, widening the powers of security forces.
The storm, with winds of up to 230km/h (145mph), careered along the country's south coast, its eye passing some miles away out to sea.The storm, with winds of up to 230km/h (145mph), careered along the country's south coast, its eye passing some miles away out to sea.
PM Portia Simpson Miller urged people to shelter in emergency accommodation, but many chose to stay at home.
Dean has already claimed at least six lives in the eastern Caribbean.Dean has already 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 on Saturday - damage was limited to flooding in coastal areas.
See a detailed map of the regionSee a detailed map of the region
But Jamaica felt its full force.But Jamaica felt its full force.
The US National Hurricane Center said the eye of the storm was "a few miles" south of the island.
Few Jamaicans chose to use emergency sheltersFew Jamaicans chose to use emergency shelters
Correspondents say roofs were ripped off houses in the capital, Kingston, and streets were blocked by toppled trees and lampposts. Kathy Barrett, of Radio Jamaica, told the BBC it had been "raining like crazy" in Kingston, but the storm had eased up towards midnight local time.
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. "I took a journey on to the streets of Kingston and saw huge trees, massive mango trees, coconut trees that have blocked the roads.
"Power lines are down... we got a good beating from Hurricane Dean."
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.
ABC News correspondent Terrell Forney, in Montego Bay, said it was impossible to know the extent of the damage because the power was out and the island was in complete darkness. The country's general election was due to take place on 27 August, but the storm has cast doubt over that date.
But he said there were reports that power lines and mobile telephone masts had been knocked out during the storm. Earlier, the prime minister had encouraged people in flood-prone areas to take cover in emergency shelters.
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.
We are all boarded up sitting in the front room listening to the local radio and drinking wine Nick WilkinsGeorge Town, Grand CaymanBBC News website reader Dean: Readers' updates 'Up there with the biggest'We are all boarded up sitting in the front room listening to the local radio and drinking wine Nick WilkinsGeorge Town, Grand CaymanBBC News website reader Dean: Readers' updates 'Up there with the biggest'
About 1,000 emergency shelters have been opened, but only a small number were occupied. Officials said about 3,000 of the country's two million people were using them. About 1,000 emergency shelters have been opened, but only a small number were occupied. Officials said about 3,000 of the country's 2.7 million people were using them.
Before the storm hit, 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.
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're dealing with a number of medical-related cases, as well as search-and-rescue cases due to collapsed structures Ronald JacksonJamaica's office for disaster preparedness In pictures: Hurricane DeanWe're dealing with a number of medical-related cases, as well as search-and-rescue cases due to collapsed structures Ronald JacksonJamaica's office for disaster preparedness 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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