Hazard Management is sending Advisories on Hurricane Rina that is producing a lot of rainfall over our area.  The general direction which is forecast for this storm steers it away from the Cayman Islands but severe weather associated with this strengthening storm will continue to affect the local area with moderate to heavy thunderstorms, squally conditions and rough seas. Hazard Management has also warned of increased flooding of low lying areas and residents of such areas are advised to take the necessary precautions.

Rob Lightbown of Crown Weather said on Mon (at 2:30pm), “Rina has and still is rapidly strengthening. Reconnaissance aircraft found that it is now a 75 mph Category 1 hurricane. Additionally, visible satellite imagery clearly shows an eye trying to form this afternoon.

I think that Rina will impact the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun and Cozumel, on Thursday night into Friday (as I said this morning); except now, I think Rina will be a lot stronger and those of you in Cancun and Cozumel should be prepared for a Category 3 hurricane. After that I am forecasting that Rina will turn to the northeast and potentially impact the Florida Keys and south Florida on Saturday as a Category 1 or possibly a low end Category 2 hurricane. The northwestern Bahamas may also be affected by a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday before it becomes extra-tropical next Monday.

All interests across the western Caribbean, including those of you in Belize, Cancun, Cozumel, western Cuba, should monitor the progress of this storm very closely. Additionally, everyone in the Florida Keys and south Florida should closely monitor the progress of Rina over the next few days. Please go to our website www.ieyenews.com for “Breaking News” where we will be posting all the bulletins from Hazard Management as soon as we receive them. For the latest on Hurricane Rina go to Crown Weather Services at www.crownweather.com and to the National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov/. We wish to thank Crown Weather for the permission to use their graphics and information. Please support them.