Hurricane Ivan Hits Jamaica and Cayman Islands; Florida May be Next

Miami, FL (HDW) September 11, 2004 - Hurricane Ivan has just passed through Jamaica and it is heading slowly for the Cayman Islands. Hurricane Ivan may hit Florida as early as the end of the weekend or early on Monday, 14 September. The National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Miami, Florida is tracking Hurricane Ivan, and a hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

A hurricane warning also remains in effect for Cuba. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are possible within the warning area within the next 24 hours. NOAA states that preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. People in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Northwestern Caribbean Sea should closely monitor the progress of this deadly hurricane.

According to NOAA, the eye of the hurricane was located about 40 miles (70 km) west-southwest of the western tip of Jamaica and 170 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman at around 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Hurricane Ivan has been drifting between the west and west-northwest during the past couple of hours. Ivan should resume a west-northwest track at 8 mph (13 km/hr) and be over the Cayman Islands by Sunday.

Hurricane Ivan’s winds are at 145 mph (230 km/hr) with gusts much higher. Hurricane force winds extend outward 45 miles, while tropical storm level winds extend outward to 175 miles. Ivan could become stronger within the next 24 hours.

Storm surge flooding of 5 to 8 feet above normal tide levels and battering waves continue along the southern coast of Jamaica. Coastal storm surge of 20 feet and higher can be expected in parts of Cuba. Rainfall amounts of 8 to 12 inches, causing life-threatening flash floods and mud slides can be expected along the path of Ivan. NOAA recommends that all monitor their local weather office to monitor this dangerous storm.