From a frequent traveler to the Isle of JA, I urge everyone to take precaution...it is coming, and it is named Dean and I fear it will be nasty

God Bless all that are in the path...

Blessings to all in JA and Cayman. Prayers for divine intervention. Having experience Hurricane Luis in Antigua in 1995, I know what you are going through. God be with all of you!

My meteorogist friend says Dean will be worse than Gilbert for Jamaica.

TomCayman: Prayers for you too. For some reason, the map of the Caribbean was not right in my mind and I didn't realize you were right next on the path of Dean after Jamaica.

My friend says Dean is now expected to become a Cat 5 right before it hits Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Another excerpt from Dr. Jeff Masters blog:
"Jamaica is my greatest concern. A direct hit by Dean
would make it the worst hurricane strike on Jamaica
for over a century. Jamaica has not received a direct
hit by a Category 4 or 5 hurricane since perhaps 1832.
The worst strikes of the 20th century were Category 3
Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 and Category 2 Hurricane
Charlie of 1951. The Cayman Islands also have much to
fear from Dean. Dean could rival Ivan as the Cayman's
worst hurricane strike of the past century."

http://www.go-jamaica.com/power/index.html

This is a link to Power 106 on Jamaica for live coverage of Dean as he makes his arrival. The storm has shifted, ever so slightly to the south, which does not bode well for the south coast, including Treasure Beach and Negril.

There has been a problem with posting. I have tried three times to write on this post. Something is messed up. CaribbeanSoul, I noticed your message to my trip report was blank.

Anyhow what I wanted to thank everyone for all the updates. I too am following the developments closely. I hope the destruction to all the islands we love is not to great.

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/flt/t1/loop-rb.html

For those who would like to track the storm as it makes its approach on Jamacia, this is the best infrared sat loop I have found.

I spoke with my friend in Treasure Beach at 7 A.M. Jamaica time. Despite her attempts at sounding brave, she truly is terrified. All preparattions are complete, and she has gathered her family into the house set further back from the water.

I find myself worried about loss of life more thn loss of property.

Marion

Marion

An email from my friend in Grand Cayman yesterday said "we pray for the best and prepare for the worst".

I love both these islands for the people most of all and have been visiting both for many years...my prayers are with all of you.

http://www.nationwidenewsnetwork.com

This is a better radio link for live coverage on Jamaica. The attitudes are remarkable considering the deterioriating conditions and grave situation. It is so Jamaican! I love these people!

Evidently their are some Jamaican fisherman stranded on some small cays (Pedro?) south of the island 90 miles or so. What were they doing?

Hi! I actually work at a TV station in Boston. Anyone know anyone vacationing in Jamaica who may want to talk to us?

JAGIRL and all in Dean's path, stay safe and pray it will take a turn from all of you in the Caribbean.

Hoping for the best.

There is someone staying at my house who has family in Jamaica... perhaps we could hook you guys up? Tell me how to find out how to have this person get in contact with you.. perhaps you'd call her collect? (but I don't want to list her number on a forum)

I'm sorry, what I meant to say is I don't feel it is within my rights to list her number without her permission - I'll check back here periodically to see if you would like to contact her, then I can see if I can reach my friend who can tell me how you can contact her. It would be wonderful to have a contact for you in Jamaica!

To teadrinker: Thanks very much for your help. My boss now actually isn't that interested in speaking with anyone in Jamaica (not sure why not). But I'm sure we will do more tomorrow. Thanks again, and I hope your friend's family is safe. : )

Sure, no problem! I know she is very worried. She has her own house there, in Portland (or is it Portsmouth)? It's on the East Side I believe... hopefully, Jamaica'll be okay.

She has a great attitude, leaving it all in God's hands...

Hoping for the best for you all. It is hard to get info here on the Cayman. My best friends son works there teaching sailing and we are praying for the best.

Quick Cayman update before I disconnect the computer and head to shelter.

7:30pm now, just read the 7pm (8pm Eastern) update and hoping that it continues to shift a little West/South of previous tracks.

Water is being shut off at 9pm so folk are showering and filling bathtubs for use afterwards.

Curfew kicks in at 10pm and police will patrol until winds get too high for safety.

Power company has not set any specific time to cut power, but will keep transmission of power going until they deem it unsafe.

As of 5pm Eastern advisory, closest point of approach to Cayman (per stormcarib tool) is 78 miles around midday tomorrow.

I figure that we should therefore start feeling some serious winds anytime from 7am, lasting through about 6pm.

Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the update Tom

Oh, Goodness.. My fingers are definitely crossed for all of your safety! We just got back into town and are so worried about all of you in the Caribbean! God be with you and God Bless....I deeply hope that you have family members with you to help you keep up your strength.


Karen