Hurricane Dean, "Extremely Dangerous," To Reach Category 5

Hurricane Dean could grow in strength, becoming a Category 5 Hurricane -- the most powerful designation -- Monday, as it passes through the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, according to the latest report from the National Hurricane Center.

The storm blew with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph all day Sunday, making it a Category 4 monster storm. Forecasters call the storm "extremely dangerous" as it passes the southern coast of Jamaica. Belize and Mexico are issuing warnings, as the storm track shows Hurricane Dean continuing on toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Tropical Storm-force winds continued to batter Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which the storm passed yesterday.

Parts of Cuba also remained on alert. Jamaica and the Cayman Islands remained under threat. At 5 p.m., the storm was just 50 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, and moving west at about 20 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend 60 miles from the eye of the storm, and tropical storm-force winds 205 miles. National Hurricane Center

The hurricane was expected to produce storm surge flooding of seven to nine feet above normal tide levels, resulting in "large and dangerous battering waves." Five to 10 inches of rain were predicted in Jamaica, with up to 20 inches in some parts, and nearly as much total rain on other islands in Dean's path. These rain totals can produce "life-threatening flash floods and mudslides." Several deaths have already been blamed on Dean.

Related Stories and Blogs
The Storm Pundit: Category 5 Hurricane Dean?
Experts Upgrade Atlantic Hurricane Forecast
The Storm Pundit: Nothing But Land To Stop Hurricane Dean ... And SuperTyphoon Sepat

Hurricane Photos Submitted to Weird Weather Watch
Hurricane Rita Damage
Ruined Home after Katrina
House and Car after Katrina
Katrina Reflected
A Common Sight

COMMENTS ()