World Bulletin / News Desk
Tropical Storm Sandy formed in the western Caribbean Sea on Monday and is expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday as it approaches Jamaica, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
The storm was centered about 395 miles (640 kilometers) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and had top sustained winds of 45 miles per hour (75 kph).
The storm did not pose a threat to the Gulf of Mexico, where U.S. oil and gas operations are clustered.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for both Jamaica and Haiti, meaning residents should expect heavy rains and strong winds within 48 hours.
Computer models showed Sandy was on a projected path that would carry it over Jamaica on Wednesday and then eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.
Sandy is expected to dump as much as 5 to 10 inches (12.5-25 cm) of rain across parts of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, forecasters said.
Last Mod: 23 Ekim 2012, 09:32
