Tropical Storm Sandy a threat to Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti

Posted on Monday, 10.22.12

Tropical Storm Sandy a threat to Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti
By CURTIS MORGAN
Cmorgan@MiamiHerald.com

Tropical Storm Sandy, strengthening rapidly Monday in the warm waters of
the Caribbean Sea, was expected to bring heavy rains to Jamaica, Cuba
and Haiti over the next few days.

The National Hurricane Center predicted Sandy would remain well off the
coast of Florida, but the state and much of the East Coast potentially
could still feel ripple effects of gusty winds and pounding surf as the
storm passes by far offshore.

Both Jamaica and Haiti were placed under tropical storm warnings for
Sandy, the 18th named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. At 5
p.m., the storm was drifting about 400 miles southeast of Kingston, with
maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

Forecasters expected the storm to run into stronger wind shear in a few
days, which could keep it just below hurricane strength as it approaches
Jamaica on Wednesday morning. It was still a potentially dangerous storm
for island countries, particularly Haiti, which are prone to deadly
flooding and mudslides. Forecasters said rainfall could average from
five to 10 inches, and reach 16 inches in isolated spots.

NHC spokesman Dennis Feltgen said computer models were in good agreement
that high-pressure systems to the north and west would begin to steer
Sandy to the north and northeast across Jamaica and eastern Cuba before
emerging into the Southern Bahamas by Friday. That "squeeze'' between
pressure systems, not Sandy itself, also could generate strong winds and
waves across South Florida in coming days.

Another depression also formed in the far-off Atlantic on Monday.
Forecasters expected it to strengthen into Tropical Storm Tony over the
next few days but said it did not pose a threat to land. The hurricane
season ends Nov. 30.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/22/3061620/tropical-depression-could-threaten.html