Tropical storm Gustav passed over Jamaica on Friday, drenching the island with rain and ripping roofs off homes.  It is expected to get back to hurricane strength when in returns to open water.

A bulletin issued by the MET Service of Jamaica at 8:00 a.m. this morning, stated that a hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica as Gustav approaches the western end of the island.

At 7:00 a.m. the centre of the storm was located near latitude 18.1˚N and longitude 78.1˚W. This is in the vicinity of Negril Point, Jamaica, or 320 km (200 miles) east-southeast of Grand Cayman.

Gustav is moving towards the west-northwest at 13 km/h (8 mph) and a turn towards the northwest is forecast during the next day or two. On this track, the centre of the storm will shortly be moving away from Jamaica and should be near or over the Cayman Islands later today.  It is expected to become a hurricane later in the day or by tomorrow.

The storm's powerful winds destroyed homes and shops but there were no immediate reports of casualties.  There are reports that houses have been washed away in Tavern and Gordon Town in St. Andrew.  Many people also lost power on Thursday night and remained in their homes as heavy winds and rain lashed the island.

Gustav struck Haiti and the Dominican Republic as a Category One hurricane on Tuesday where it caused mudslides and flooding ans was responsible for at least 67 deaths.  Officials warned that the death toll could rise.

Although the centre of Gustav is about to move away from Jamaica, bands of showers extend over 200 km (125 miles) east of the island. Periods of heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds are, therefore, forecast to continue across the country through today. Extensive flash flooding is expected over low-lying and flood-prone areas, and storm surge flooding is also possible, mainly along southern coastal areas.