Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com
MIAMI, USA: At 11 pm EDT Wednesday the center of Hurricane Charley was located near latitude 17.8 north, longitude 78.7 west or about 195 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman. Charley is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph. On this track, the center of the hurricane will be passing near or over the Cayman Islands on Thursday.
A hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
A hurricane watch remains in effect for the following provinces of western Cuba: Pinar del Rio, La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth. This watch will probably be changed to a hurricane warning early Thursday.
The hurricane watch has been extended northward along the west coast of Florida to Anna Maria Island. A hurricane watch is now in effect for the Florida Keys from Dry Tortugas to Ocean Reef including Florida Bay and from Flamingo northward to Anna Maria Island.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.
A hurricane warning will likely be issued for a portion of the Florida Keys and the southwest coast of Florida early Thursday.
Rain bands with tropical storm force winds in squalls will continue to affect much of Jamaica during the next several hours. These conditions will begin to spread over the Cayman Islands early Thursday.
Data from a reconnaissance plane indicate that Charley has not strengthened and maximum sustained winds remain near 75 mph, with higher gusts. However, conditions appear to be favorable for intensification.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.
Above normal tides, accompanied by large and dangerous battering waves, are likely along the coasts of Jamaica tonight, and the Cayman Islands tonight and Thursday morning.
Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are likely in association with Charley. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
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