Correspondents say the storm is gaining in intensity with every passing minute and there are reports of flooding in the east of the Caribbean island.

PM Portia Simpson Miller urged the evacuation of low-lying areas, but reports say many are ignoring the call.

Dean has already brought winds of 230km/h (145mph) and claimed at least six lives in the eastern Caribbean.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic were spared the worst as Dean passed to the south overnight - damage was limited to flooding in coastal areas.

 Source :  BBC News Online