KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaicans are bracing for a visit from one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent history.
Hurricane Matthew, with winds of 155 mph, is roaring across the Caribbean Sea on a course that also puts parts of Haiti and Cuba in danger.
Matthew is expected to bring heavy rainfall especially to the eastern tip of Jamaica and higher elevations, which could trigger flooding and landslides. Forecasters said rainfall totals could reach 10 to 15 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches in Jamaica and southwestern Haiti.
As of 8 a.m. EDT, the storm was centered about 400 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, moving west at 7 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 45 miles from from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 205 miles.