Dean Plows Into Jamaica

Hurricane Dean struck Jamaica today, swamping the streets of Kingston and leaving devastation in its wake as it swept west across the Caribbean. The center of the Category 4 storm missed the island by a few miles, Reuters reports, but passed close enough to bring down numerous trees and utility poles, cause mudslides, and tear the roofs off houses.

The government instituted a 48-hour curfew and encouraged residents to evacuate to shelters, but many refused. "If you come by here later today you will see me drinking rum," said a Port Royal resident. The storm was moving west at about 20mph; forecasters expect it to clear Jamaica and strike the Caymans before proceeding to the Yucatan and central Mexico. (More Hurricane Dean stories.)