MIAMI – A hurricane warning remains in effect from Barahona in the Dominican Republic westward to Le Mole St Nicholas Haiti. Preparations to protect life and property should have been completed.
At 11 am the government of Cuba has issued a hurricane warning for the Cuban provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba and Granma.
A hurricane watch remains in effect for Haiti from Le Mole St Nicholas to the northern Haiti/Dominican Republic border.
A hurricane watch remains in effect for the Cuban provinces of Las Tunas and Holguin. A hurricane watch is also in effect for Jamaica.
Interests in central and western Cuba and the Cayman islands should closely monitor the progress of Gustav.
Gustav is moving toward the northwest near 9 mph/hr. A turn toward the west-northwest with a decrease in forward speed forecast is expected later today and a general west-northwestward motion is expected Wednesday. On this track this hurricane should move over southwestern Haiti later today and near or just south of Eastern Cuba on Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph with higher gusts. Gustav is a category one hurricane and additional strengthening is possible before the center moves over land today.
Some weakening is likely when Gustav moves over Haiti, however restrengthening is forecast as the center approaches eastern Cuba on Wednesday.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles.
Gustav is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over Hispaniola, Eastern Cuba and Jamaica with isolated maximum amounts of up to 20 inches possible. These rains will likely produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
