Jamaica experiencing some flooding as Cat 4 Hurricane Matthew approaches

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH Hurricane Matthew making its way through the Caribbean Sea, a number of countries, including Jamaica, are under hurricane warning and are preparing themselves for the impact the Category Four storm would bring.

As at 8:00 this evening (Oct. 2), Hurricane Matthew was located 14.5N and 75.0W or approximately 265 miles to the south-southeast of Jamaica and 335 miles to the south-southwest of Haiti.

The storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 145mph and is moving on a northwesterly direction at a snail’s pace of 5mph.

Hurricane warnings have been effected for Jamaica, Haiti, portions of Cuba including Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin and Granma. The Cuban province of Camaguey is under hurricane watch as well as the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Portions of the Dominican Republic are under tropical storm watch and tropical storm warning and nearby territories are advised to monitor the progress of the storm.

Meteorologists advise that on the forecast track will head towards Jamaica and Haiti tomorrow (Oct. 3) 

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that five to 10 inches of rainfall is expected in Jamaica, 15-25 inches in southern Haiti as well as the southwestern parts of the Dominican Republic.

SKNVibes understands that Jamaica has already begun experiencing tropical storm conditions including heavy rainfall.

The Jamaican Observer reported that Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie indicated during a press conference that the country’s infrastructure cannot withstand the strength and quantity of the wind and rain that Hurricane Matthew is expected to bring.

The media outlet said McKenzie expressed that the Government has done all that it can and now waits while the storm makes its way along the projected path.

The NOAA indicated that the expected level of rainfall “will likely produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides”.

SKNVibes understands that some parts of Kingston, Jamaica have already begun to experience some flooding.