Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas, TCI keeping eye on dangerous Matthew

As hurricane Matthew continues to move through the northern Caribbean, a hurricane warning is in effect for Jamaica, Haiti, south-east Bahamas, as well as parts of Cuba.

A hurricane watch is also in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands and Central Bahamas.

At 8:00 this morning the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 74.9 West.  Matthew is moving toward the north near 6 mph (9 km/h).  Forecasters say a general northward motion with some increase in forward speed is expected through Tuesday.  On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will approach Jamaica and southwestern Haiti tonight, and eastern Cuba on Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts.  Matthew is a dangerous category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next couple of days, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through early Wednesday.