Hurricane Dean traveled through Jamaica yesterday devastating the region. The eye of the Hurricane came in south of Jamaica's capital Kingston. So far 8 deaths can be contributed to Hurricane Dean. Cleanup has begun in Jamaica. The island was very well prepared for this storm. They have learned many beneficial precautions that were put into place due to previous storms. A state of emergency will continue in Jamaica for the next month. Hurricane Dean is now headed toward the Yucatan Peninsula. Forecasters had previously predicted a glancing for this region but now the path is dictating a direct hit. Officials in areas such as Cancun, Mexico are preparing for this storm. This storm is gaining strength. It is currently a category 4, possibly becoming a category 5. United States airlines are sending extra flights to Jamaica. This is in an effort to evacuate as many tourists as possible.
In American President Bush has issued a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Texas. The National Guard is in place ready to handle any effects America will experience from this storm. Residents of Brownsville, Texas are getting prepared for any repercussions from Hurricane Dean. The storms current path still shows landfall on the coast of Mexico. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS A STORM THAT CAN CHANGE PATH. THE MODELS YOU ARE SEEING ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. KEEP WATCHING YOUR NEWS STATIONS FOR ACCURATE UPATES AND ADVISORIES. City officials in Galveston are stepping down the emergency precautions put in place due to Hurricane Dean. State and government officials are now putting their main focus on the Brownsville region. Galveston officials will continue to keep an eye on the gulf. Along the Texas coast and even inland officials are keeping a close watch on the possible flooding that could occur once Dean enters the Gulf of Mexico. Texas has been extremely wet this year. Texas has just experienced high rainfall amounts due to Tropical Storm Erin last week.
Please keep in mind that we are now getting into a very active part of our hurricane season. Please be sure to reference our hurricane guide so that you will be prepared for ANY storm. Life in Galveston means being prepared. Being prepared makes hurricane season manageable. Our last major hurricane was Alicia in 1983. Hurricane Alicia was a category 3 storm. About 10% of the islanders, living behind the Seawall, decided to evacuate. Once the storms winds and rain picked up then more residents tried to leave. Unfortunately the bridges exiting the island were closed. Islanders did not take Hurricane Alicia seriously. Hurricane Alicia killed 21 people and caused 2.6 Billion dollars in damage.
Living on the Texas Gulf Coast is a very pleasurable experience. I love the island life in Galveston. Hurricane season is a reality that we will face each and every year. Be prepared at all times during hurricane season.
Thanks for your time.
Christina Stevens