By Claudia Liburd
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
(Charlestown, Nevis) --- Residents of Nevis experienced high gusts and heavy rainfall as Hurricane Dean made its descent through the Eastern Caribbean.
While it was business as usual in Charlestown, a tropical storm warning has been issued for St. Kitts, Nevis, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Grenada, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Barbados, Saba, St. Eustatius, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Maarten and Anguilla.
According to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) a tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions, including winds of at least 39 mph, are expected within 24 hours. During a tropical storm sustained winds reach 39 to 74 mph (34 to 63 knots). Some wind gusts may reach hurricane velocity of 74 mph although sustained winds are less. 
NHC forecasters also predict that the storm could dump as much as 10 inches of rain in some mountainous areas, which could trigger flash floods and mudslides. Storm surge flooding as high as 4 feet was also forecast, with battering waves.Further by Sunday Dean is expected to reach Category 4 status, with winds in excess of 131 mph, as it nears Jamaica.
The current forecast path takes the storm into Mexico's Yucatan peninsula Monday as a Category 4 storm, then weaken and re-enter the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 storm.
Nevis Disaster Management officials have issued several precautions in the event of a hurricane/tropical storm warning. These include:
1) Do not pay attention to rumor. Stay tuned in to your radio and listen to bulletins issued by local and regional media. Do not make unnecessary phone calls. 
2) Stay away from beaches and other low areas which can be swept away by the sea and hurricane tides.
3) If your house is out of danger of tidal waves, that is the best place to stay during the hurricane. On the other hand be prepared to move to the shelter designated to your area.
4) Fasten and secure doors and windows, especially the outside, using good plywood.
5) Organise your surroundings. Put away all objects which can be blown away by winds such as furniture, flowerpots, etc., since they can be destructive weapons during the hurricane. Clean your yard.
6) Stock up enough food and drinking water to last for at least three days. Ensure that it does not need to be cooked. If there are small children in the family store tinned or cartooned milk to last for a similar period of time.
7) Keep a supply of drinking water. Get first aid kit, lanterns or gas lamps. Water supply and electricity can be disrupted unexpectedly.
8) If you or any member of your family is ill, get in touch with a medical authority right away before going to the shelter.
9) Keep handy pieces of cloth to clean house and cork the house with pieces of rag or paper since rain water from the hurricane can enter the house.
10) Keep a full tank of petrol in your car.
11) Avoid taking alcoholic drinks.
