Tropical Storm Gamma changes course in the Caribbean Sea. by Everton Fox
Tropical storm Gamma has dramatically changed course over the past few hours, saving many Central American countries from more destruction.
The storm was originally heading in a north-westerly direction and was expected to hit the eastern coasts of Belize and Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, before moving northeast towards Cuba and Florida.
Fifteen inches (381mm) of rain were forecast for the already storm battered areas of Belize and Yucatan.
Now, however, in a dramatic turn of fortune, Gamma is expected to change course and head in an easterly direction, back out to sea.
Hurricane Wilma, tropical storm Stan and Beta, all crossed close to Central America in the past few months, causing widespread damage, and the areas are still clearing up from the storms.
Although the storm is now on track to move close to Jamaica, it is believed that it will weaken to a tropical depression with wind speeds of just 30mph by the time it reaches the island on Wednesday. Gamma currently has wind speeds of 40mph but is already weakening.
However, Gamma has not totally been without incident. Torrential rain and strong winds battered Honduras and the Bay Islands on Saturday, causing flash flooding and landslides. Bridges and highways were washed away and six people lost their lives.
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