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Mexico coast braces for hurricane Mexico braces for hurricane fury
(about 4 hours later)
The Mexican authorities have evacuated tourist resorts and shut down off-shore oil facilities ahead of the potentially devastating arrival of Hurricane Dean. Mexican authorities have evacuated tourist resorts and shut down offshore oil facilities ahead of the potentially catastrophic arrival of Hurricane Dean.
The storm has reached Category Five - the highest strength - as it rushes towards Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Thousands of tourists attempted to leave the resort of Cancun, but some were unable to get a flight.Thousands of tourists attempted to leave the resort of Cancun, but some were unable to get a flight.
Neighbouring Belize is also bracing itself for the hurricane, which is registering winds of 150mph (240km/h). Neighbouring Belize is also bracing itself for the hurricane, which is registering winds of 160mph (255km/h).
Forecasters think Dean may get even stronger before it reaches Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula overnight. The storm has already claimed at least 11 lives in the eastern Caribbean, but largely spared the Cayman Islands earlier on Monday.
The storm has already claimed at least six lives in the eastern Caribbean - but largely spared the Cayman islands earlier on Monday.
In Jamaica, it tore off roofs, uprooted trees and destroyed power lines as the storm's centre passed just south of the island.In Jamaica, it tore off roofs, uprooted trees and destroyed power lines as the storm's centre passed just south of the island.
Looting fearLooting fear
Experts believe that Cancun and other popular Mexican resorts will not suffer a "direct hit" but that has not stopped around two-thirds of Cancun's tourists leaving the area.Experts believe that Cancun and other popular Mexican resorts will not suffer a "direct hit" but that has not stopped around two-thirds of Cancun's tourists leaving the area.
We are all boarded up sitting in the front room listening to the local radio and drinking wine Nick WilkinsBBC News website readerGeorge Town, Grand Cayman Dean: Readers' updates Send us your comments Dean: Where next?We are all boarded up sitting in the front room listening to the local radio and drinking wine Nick WilkinsBBC News website readerGeorge Town, Grand Cayman Dean: Readers' updates Send us your comments Dean: Where next?
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said Dean, already "extremely dangerous", may reach Category Five strength in the coming hours, with sustained winds greater than 155mph (249km/h) and a storm surge 18ft (5.5m) above normal tide levels. The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said Dean had reached "potentially catastrophic" Category Five strength, with sustained winds of 160mph (255km/h) and a storm surge 18ft (5.5m) above normal tide levels.
Some holidaymakers camped overnight at the Cancun airport to get a flight while others were turned away. Category Five storms are rare - only three have hit the United States since record-keeping began.
Some holidaymakers camped overnight at Cancun's airport to find a flight while others were turned away.
Police officers have been deployed to prevent looting while residents have boarded up their homes in preparedness for the storms.Police officers have been deployed to prevent looting while residents have boarded up their homes in preparedness for the storms.
Mexico's state-oil company, Petroleos de Mexico, has evacuated the remainder of its 14,354 workers and shut down production on the offshore rigs. Mexico's state-oil company, Petroleos de Mexico, has evacuated the remainder of its 14,350 workers and shut down production on the offshore rigs.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the coast of Belize and the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, from Belize City to Cancun.A hurricane warning is in effect for the coast of Belize and the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, from Belize City to Cancun.
View path of Hurricane Dean in more detailEnlarge MapView path of Hurricane Dean in more detailEnlarge Map
Daniel Brown, from the NHC, said the focus was now on other areas.Daniel Brown, from the NHC, said the focus was now on other areas.
"It looks like the biggest threat is going to be for portions of northern Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula coast of Mexico," he said."It looks like the biggest threat is going to be for portions of northern Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula coast of Mexico," he said.
At 2 pm EDT (1800 GMT), Dean was located about 330 miles (530 km) east of Belize City, the largest city in Belize, which borders Mexico. At 2035 EDT (0035 GMT), Dean was located about 210 miles (335km) east of Chetumal, Mexico, the NHC said.
The hurricane is heading west and is expected to move slightly north-westwards across the Yucatan Peninsula, the NHC said. The hurricane is heading west and is expected to move slightly north-westwards across the Yucatan Peninsula.
After crossing the Yucatan, the storm is forecast to move over the Bay of Campeche in the south-west Gulf of Mexico, before striking Mexico's coast again near Tampico.After crossing the Yucatan, the storm is forecast to move over the Bay of Campeche in the south-west Gulf of Mexico, before striking Mexico's coast again near Tampico.
Shuttle rescheduledShuttle rescheduled
Dean caused widespread damage as it careered along the south coast of Jamaica.Dean caused widespread damage as it careered along the south coast of Jamaica.
In pictures: Hurricane Dean How hurricanes are tracked Dean's path of destructionIn pictures: Hurricane Dean How hurricanes are tracked Dean's path of destruction
"I took a journey onto the streets of Kingston and saw huge trees, massive mango trees, coconut trees that have blocked the roads," said Kathy Barrett from Radio Jamaica."I took a journey onto the streets of Kingston and saw huge trees, massive mango trees, coconut trees that have blocked the roads," said Kathy Barrett from Radio Jamaica.
"Power lines are down, it really has been - we got a good beating from Hurricane Dean.""Power lines are down, it really has been - we got a good beating from Hurricane Dean."
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller declared a month-long state of emergency, widening the powers of security forces.Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller declared a month-long state of emergency, widening the powers of security forces.
A general election is due to take place on 27 August, but the storm has cast doubt on that date.A general election is due to take place on 27 August, but the storm has cast doubt on that date.
In the US, the return of the space shuttle Endeavour was brought forward by a day, to Tuesday in an attempt to beat the hurricane should it eventually reach Texas, where Nasa's mission control is based.In the US, the return of the space shuttle Endeavour was brought forward by a day, to Tuesday in an attempt to beat the hurricane should it eventually reach Texas, where Nasa's mission control is based.


Are you in the Caribbean? Have you been affected by Hurricane Dean or are you preparing for it to pass? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the Caribbean? Have you been affected by Hurricane Dean or are you preparing for it to pass? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Find out more about how to send your pictures and to read terms and conditionsFind out more about how to send your pictures and to read terms and conditions
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