Hurricane Gustav slammed into flood-prone Haiti on Tuesday, killing at least two people.  The storm is also threatening the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

The National Societies of Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica as well as the Overseas Branch of the British Red Cross in the Cayman Islands have been in close contact with the International Federation. The Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) in Panama has deployed one disaster management delegate to Haiti to support early relief activities as well as one delegate to Jamaica for pre-positioning. Two disaster management delegates are on stand-by for deployment to Cuba in order to support relief activities in the event Gustav hits the island.

The category 1 storm made landfall in southern Haiti 10 miles west of Jacmel with top sustained winds of 90 miles per hour,  the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

However, the sustained winds had weakened to 75 mph, as it moved northwest over the mountainous region late on Tuesday, the Miami-based hurricane center said.

The latest release from the Jamaican Met Office puts the centre of Hurricane Gustav about 205 miles east of Morant Point.  Based on the current forecast, the centre of the hurricane should begin to move away from Haiti towards the Windward Passage Tuesday night and between Cuba and Jamaica Wednesday.

Gustav is expected to re-strengthen Tuesday night after passing over land.

Jamaica could begin to experience scattered showers, associated with the outer bands of the hurricane, as early as Tuesday evening.

As the system moves closer to the island Wednesday, an increase in heavy rainfall and strong winds, especially over northern parishes is expected.  Storm surges could also be experienced along northern coastal areas.

Small craft operators and fishermen are advised to dock and complete their safety precautions.