We are crossing our fingers that Wonder and Magic get out this weekend before Jeanne. But it's still early to tell, the latest :
Statement as of 5:00 PM AST on September 15, 2004
...Jeanne moving west-northwestward across Puerto Rico...new
Hurricane Watch issued...
a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Puerto Rico...and along
the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabrera southward
to Isla Saona.
A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch remain in effect
along the northern coast of the Dominican Republic west of Cabrera
to Puerto Plata...and along the southern coast of the Dominican
Republic from Isla Saona westward to Santo Domingo. A Tropical
Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch also remain in effect for the
British Virgin Islands.
At 5 PM AST...2100z...the government of the Bahamas has issued a
Hurricane Watch for the southeastern Bahamas...including the
Acklins...Crooked Island...the Inaguas...Mayaguana...and the Ragged
Islands...as well as for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
At 5 PM AST...2100z...the government of Antigua has discontinued all
warnings for St. Kitts and Nevis.
At 5 PM AST...2100z...the Hurricane Warning for the U. S. Virgin
Islands is downgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning.
Interests elsewhere in the Bahamas should monitor the progress of
Jeanne.
At 5 PM AST...2100z...the center of Tropical Storm Jeanne was
located near latitude 18.4 north...longitude 66.5 west or over
Puerto Rico about 25 miles... 40 km...west of San Juan.
Jeanne is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph
...15 km/hr...and this general motion is expected to continue for
the next 24 hours. The forecast motion should bring the center off
the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico tonight...and near the
northern coast of the Dominican Republic on Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph...110 km/hr...with higher
gusts. Some strengthening is possible once the center of Jeanne
reaches the altantic...and it could become a hurricane later
tonight or Thursday.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles
...110 km from the center. San Juan recently reported a wind gust
of 71 mph...114 km/hr.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 991 mb...29.26 inches.
Storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels...
along with large and dangerous battering waves...can be expected
near and to the right of where the center makes landfall.
Rainfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches...with isolated higher
amounts...can be expected near the path of Jeanne. These rains
could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. Portions
of Puerto Rico have reported 7 inches of rain so far in association
with Jeanne.
Isolated tornadoes are possible over Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands today.
Repeating the 5 PM AST position...18.4 N... 66.5 W. Movement
toward...west-northwest near 9 mph. Maximum sustained
winds... 70 mph. Minimum central pressure... 991 mb.
For storm information specific to your area...please monitor
products issued by your local weather office.
An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National
Hurricane Center at 8 PM AST followed by the next
complete advisory at 11 PM AST.
Forecaster Beven
