A hurricane packing 140-mph winds is threatening to bring destruction to Haiti and other Caribbean islands as it moves through the Caribbean Sea.
Hurricane Matthew -- a storm that, as of 11 a.m. Monday, was 205 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 275 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti -- could dump more than a foot of rain on both islands.
The latest advisory says southern Haiti and southwestern Dominican Republic can expect 15 to 25 inches with possible isolated downpours of up to 40 inches. Eastern Cuba, northwestern Haiti and the southeastern Bahamas could see up to a foot of rain, while Jamaica could see 5 to 10 inches.
"On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will approach southwestern Haiti tonight, move near eastern Cuba late Tuesday, and move near or over portions of the southeastern and central Bahamas Tuesday night and Wednesday," the latest National Hurricane Center advisory says.
Though a hurricane warning remains in effect in Jamaica, the latest advisory says tropical storm conditions will reach the island sometime Monday.
Several islands in the Caribbean region are under hurricane watches or warnings. The storm is expected to remain "powerful" through early Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Ionie Scott describes the flooding in Kingston: "Businesses are closed. There are no cars or taxis on the road."
"This rainfall will likely produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides," the hurricane center said. "Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion."
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