===Contains Recent Updates===
According to Weather.Com's Hurricane Central (this is a video link), as of 5:00 am today, Tropical Storm Sandy strengthened to 70 mph, just 4 mph below a Category 1 Hurricane.
She is located 120 miles South East of Jamaica and is moving North towards Jamaica, with a forward speed of 14 mph.
Sandy has a very compact centre, with most of her winds and rains on her Eastern side.
==== Update from the Jamaica Meteorological Service at 8:00 am ====
Sandy's centre is expected to hit mainly, eastern Jamaica between 2-4:00 pm today.
At about 12:00 p.m. Jamaica time, there should be an update available from the National Hurricane Centre in Florida.
========================================================
In Jamaica, we've been experiencing sporadic outbursts of moderate rain from Sandy's outer bands, but very few wind gusts.
There:
1) Have been mandatory evacuations in low-lying areas that are flood-prone. (Persons on the Pedro Cays - three (3) small islands located 50 miles South of Jamaica, were ordered to evacuate from Monday, although some have refused to leave.
The Jamaican Coast Guard had no other choice than to abandon them, as the Coast Guard had to secure its vessels).
2) Are presently 108 persons in shelters from four (4) parishes on island: Clarendon, Portland, Kingston and St. Andrew.
Will keep you updated for as long as I can.
(I'd like to thank RawFootageJA for the use of their YouTube video above).
Gillian
Sources Include
- Weather.Com's Hurricane Central Report on Tropical Storm Sandy , accessed October 24,2012
- Brevard Times' National Hurricane Center Report at 5:00 am, October 24,2012
- Article,"Some Pedro Cays residents refuse to leave as Sandy nears", Jamaica Gleaner, October 23,2012
