BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nov 4, CMC – Tropical Cyclone 18 is forecast to strengthen on Monday as it moves across the Western Caribbean and become a tropical depression.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that storm is located about 220 miles south of Kingston, the Jamaican capital, and 425 miles south east of Grand Cayman. A hurricane watch is in effect for the Cayman Islands and a tropical storm warning is in effect for Jamaica.
Cayman Islands Deputy Governor, Franz Manderson said Monday “we are now under a hurricane warning…as potential Tropical Cyclone 18 approaches our area. This warning means that hurricane conditions could impact us within 36 hours”.
He said on Sunday, the National Hazard Management Executive (NHME) met to review and prepare for the storm’s potential impact.
“Everyone is urged to use today to complete preparations. Please stay informed on the latest developments as this system continues to intensify. Government schools will remain open today, but they will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, 5th November,” Manderson added.
The storm has maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour (mph) and the system is moving toward the north near seven mph.
“A northwestward motion is expected later today and forecast to continue for the next few days. On the forecast track, the system is expected to move near Jamaica this evening, be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday, and approach Cuba on Wednesday,” the NHC added.
“The disturbance is expected to become a tropical depression or storm today with additional strengthening forecast thereafter. The system could be near or at hurricane intensity when it passes near the Cayman Islands and Cuba.”
The NHC said heavy rainfall will impact areas of the Western Caribbean with the heaviest rainfall occurring over Jamaica and portions of Cuba through mid-week.
It said rainfall totals between three to six inches with locally up to nine inches are expected. Flooding could occur over portions of Jamaica and Cuba, with mudslides possible.
CMC/af/ir/2024