Dean strengthens to Category 4 as winds reach 145 mph

"Could be unprecedented event for Jamaica; direct hit with 150 MPH sustained winds [topping Hurricane Gilbert's 135 MPH winds [Sept. 1988] and Charlie's 100 MPH winds in 1951]... Population of Jamaica is nearly 3 million people; and is 49th most densely-populated country in world... "

Hurricane Dean strengthened into a Category 4 storm and tore through the eastern Caribbean, ripping the roofs from a hospital and homes, and flooding buildings with rain and seawater. A 62-year-old man drowned -- the storm's first death.

With maximum sustained winds of at least 145 mph, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season was expected to gain power over the warm waters of the Caribbean, hit Jamaica on Sunday and climb to Category 4 status before clipping Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It was projected to steer into the Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday, threatening the U.S.-Mexico border area.

 Source : Sun Sentinel