Hurricane Dean Advisory Number 23

Issued at: 4:24 PM AST 8/18/07 (gateway).

Outer fringes of hurricane dean lashing the south coast of hispaniola, A hurricane warning remains in effect for the south coast of the dominican republic from barahona westward to the haiti-dominican republic border, and for the southwestern peninsula of haiti from the haiti-dominican republic border to port-au-prince. A hurricane warning is also in effect for jamaica. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A tropical storm warning is still in effect along the south coast of the dominican republic from cabo engano westward to barahona, and for coast of haiti north of port-au-prince to the northern haiti-dominican republic border. A tropical storm warning is also effect for portions of cuba, from the province of camaguey eastward to the province of guantanamo. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours. A hurricane watch remains in effect for the cayman islands. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours. Interests elsewhere in the western caribbean, including western cuba and the yucatan peninsula, should closely monitor the progress of dean. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local weather office. At 500 pm ast, 2100z, the eye of hurricane dean was located near latitude 16.1 north, longitude 70.2 west or about 455 miles, 735 km, east-southeast of kingston jamaica and about 165 miles, 270 km, south of santo domingo in the dominican republic. Dean is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph, 30 km/hr, and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. On this track, the core of the hurricane will continue to move south of hispaniola today and will be near jamaica on Sunday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 150 mph, 240 km/hr, with higher gusts. Dean is an extremely dangerous category four hurricane on the saffir-simpson hurricane scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 70 miles, 110 km, from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles, 370 km. Punta cana in the dominican republic has been experiencing tropical storm force wind gusts for the past several hours. Estimated minimum central pressure is 930 mb, 27.46 inches. Storm total rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches can be expected over jamaica, with maximum amounts of up to 20 inches possible. Amounts of 4 to 6 inches are possible over southern haiti with maximum totals of 10 inches possible. The remainder of the dominican republic, haiti and eastern cuba, could receive 2 to 4 inches of rain with maximum amounts up to 7 inches possible. Additional rain accumulations of 1 to 2 inches are possible over puerto rico, with isolated storm total amounts of 5 inches. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. Coastal storm surge flooding of 7 to 9 feet above normal tide levels, along with large and dangerous battering waves, is possible near the center of dean in the hurricane warning area. Repeating the 500 pm ast position, 16.1 n, 70.2 w. Movement toward, west-northwest near 18 mph. Maximum sustained winds, 150 mph. Minimum central pressure, 930 mb. An intermediate advisory will be issued by the national hurricane center at 800 pm ast followed by the next complete advisory at 1100 pm ast.

National Weather Service