'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Paloma nears Cuba
Hurricane Paloma is set to make landfall on the Cayman islands and parts of Cuba in the next 24 hours
Also In The News
|
Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have revealed they are set to open talks with manager Rafael Benitez over a new contract. |  |
Saturday, 08, Nov 2008 11:14
Hurricane Paloma has strengthened to an "extremely dangerous" Category Four hurricane as it nears the Cayman Islands and Cuba.
The national hurricane centre (NHC) in Florida issued a public advisory warning of the dangers posed by the hurricane which is packing winds of up to 135 mph (215 kms/hr).
The NHC expects Paloma to make landfall in the Cayman Islands and parts of Cuba within the next 24 hours. It also expects the storm to pass over the central Bahamas and San Salvador within the next 36 hours.
Storm surge flooding of up to nine feet higher than normal tide levels is expected near the Cayman Islands, while Cuba is likely to face stormy sea conditions of up to 20 feet in height. The weather forecasting service has also warned of heavy rains which could produce "life threatening flash floods and mudslides".
In its advisory, the NHC called for preparations to protect life and property in the areas set to be hit by Paloma to be "rushed to completion".
Authorities in Cuba, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica have issued hurricane alerts and asked residents to take necessary precautions.