CAT 4: Another Monster Headed for the Gulf

by C. L. Cook

Jamaica is directly in the line of Hurricane Dean, now rated a Catagory 4 hurricane, as it heads for the Gulf of Mexico.

 

The catastrophic Katrina was smaller as it transited the Caribbean, and made first landfall on the Florida coast, before lumbering into the Gulf. Once there, Katrina's power was magnified by the warm waters, becoming the disastrous behemoth that devastated America's Gulf Coast states, most famously destroying much of New Orleans.

 

Projections so far predict Dean will roll over Jamaica early Sunday morning, before proceeding to the Gulf, ultimately making landfall in Texas. Three deaths have been reportedly caused by Dean in the Caribbean so far.

George W. Bush, vacationing in Crawford, Texas was briefed twice today on Dean's status, and agreed with Governor Rick Perry's request he declare a federal "pre-landfall" state of emergency for coastal Texas. Hurricane Dean is expected to hit the coast near the Mexico-Texas border by mid-week.

The emergency declaration means the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can begin setting up resources in the state. Governor Perry reiterated the importance of early preparation for Dean, saying;

"With the potential of another major storm entering the Gulf of Mexico and threatening the Texas coast, now is the time to begin mobilizing our resources and implementing our plan to ensure an orderly response before landfall. As we continue to monitor Hurricane Dean, the state is preparing to deploy ample resources, manpower and equipment to meet any potential need to ensure the safety of Texas residents."

Texans are still cleaning up after Tropical Storm Erin swept through Houston earlier this week, killing seven with heavy rainfall, collapsing a roof in one instance, and flood waters coursing through creeks and rivers. More than 9 inches of rain was recorded in a 24 hour period in Houston at the highpoint of the storm.

George W. Bush is scheduled to take part Monday in tripartite meetings between the leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in Quebec as part of the so-called Security and Prosperity Partnership, and is expected to cut his visit to Canada short due to Dean's imminent landfall.

 

  

Hurricane Dean Resources 

 

 

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