NC4 INCIDENT MONITORING CENTER FEATURED INCIDENT
Hurricane Dean

August 13-23, 2007
NC4’s coverage of Hurricane Dean began about 350 miles east of Bridgetown in Barbados and spanned west across the Caribbean past Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and to its landfall in Mexico on 21 August.

In the Dominican Republic, major roadways were shut down due to high flood waters and heavy structural damage was reported. Jamaica suffered similar effects as authorities evacuated coastal areas ahead of the storm’s arrival. The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston was closed and electricity and water supplies were shut down to limit infrastructure damage. Mexico bore the brunt of Dean’s strength. By the time it crossed the Yucatan Peninsula, it was a category 5 storm with peak winds of 160 mph. It lost strength as it moved into the Bay of Campeche and made a second landfall in the state of Veracruz as a category 2 storm. Numerous landslides and flooding were reported in the states of Veracruz, Puebla, and Hidalgo. The storm then quickly dissipated as it moved across the mountainous terrain of central Mexico. At least seven people were killed in the Caribbean and ten more died in Mexico.

Selected Updates

NC4 Incident Monitoring Center issued the following alerts:

• Hurricane Dean upgraded to Category 1 storm; moving west with winds at 90 mph.
  2007-08-16, 13:40 EDT
  

• The outer bands of Hurricane Dean are reaching the Dominican Republic and Haiti. 2007-08-18, 16:41 EDT
  

• Hurricane Dean leaves path of destruction through Dominican Republic.
  2007-08-19, 05:17 EDT
  
  

• Officials impose a nationwide curfew as Hurricane Dean passes south of the Cayman Islands. 2007-08-20, 08:19 EDT
  

• All warnings cancelled for Jamaica; airport in Kingston remains closed.
  2007-08-20, 19:58 EDT
  
  
• Hurricane Dean strengthens into massive Category 5 storm. 2007-08-20, 20:50 EDT
  
  
• Yucatan Peninsula under Hurricane Warning as category 5 Dean expected to make landfall late Monday. 2007-08-20, 21:50 EDT
  

 

Additional Resources
To enhance its coverage, NC4 created a Special Event for Hurricane Dean that contained all related incidents, track maps, public safety advisories, and additional information. Analysts used sources in English, Spanish, and French to provide the most accurate and timely information. Local and regional coverage allowed NC4 to get information directly from affected areas. Meteorological consultants provided NC4 with up-to-date tracking and local status reports.

One-page printable summary with graphics

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