Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are already affecting eastern sections of the island.

Hurricane Beryl is racing towards Jamaica.

The MET Service says the centre of the Category 4 hurricane is expected to continue moving quickly towards the south-eastern coast of Jamaica.

It says the hurricane’s eye is not as clearly defined as before and the system could wobble as it approaches Jamaica.

Meantime, the centre of Hurricane Beryl is expected to be passing near or over the island’s southern coastline from east to west, between midday and 8 P.M today.

At 10 A.M., the centre of the hurricane was located about 90 km east south-east of morant point or 125 km east south-east of Kingston.

Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 30 km per hour, and this general motion should continue through today, followed by a turn more toward the west tonight or Thursday.

Rainfall associated with the core of the hurricane will migrate across the island over the next couple of hours.

heavy rainfall and gusty winds have already been affecting sections of eastern st. thomas. 

Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are forecast for most areas over the period with higher amounts in elevation.

Strong winds reaching near tropical storm force are expected to reach Jamaica by midday.

These will quickly increase to near hurricane strength as Beryl remains close to the island throughout the day.

Dangerous storm surges raising water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet and battering waves will also be generated along coastal areas  of the island.

The MET Service will issue the next bulletin on the system at 2 P.M.