Hurricane Churns Up the Caribbean

Haiti and the Dominican Republic are braced for potential flooding as Hurricane Dean passes to the south after gathering force in the Caribbean. Winds have hit 145 mph and the storm may achieve the highest category, Five, with speeds of about 250 by the time it reaches Mexico on Monday. Dean has claimed three lives on islands in its path, and there are now fears it will directly pass over Jamaica. Forecasters warn this could be an unusually active Atlantic storm season.

Caribbean Storm Gathers Strength

Hurricane Dean has strengthened to a category three "major" storm, pounding the eastern Caribbean with winds in excess of 110 MPH. The US National Hurricane Center upgraded the storm as it hit St. Lucia and Martinique, killing a man, ripping roofs off homes and uprooting trees. Landslides have also been reported in Martinique, leaving hundreds homeless. The first hurricane of the Atlantic season is now heading towards Jamaica and could reach category four status.