Sandy formed into a category 1 hurricane on Wednesday (October 24), and was located about 65 miles (100 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 235 miles (380 km) south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba.

The U.S. Hurricane Center said the center of Sandy is expected to move near or over eastern Jamaica this afternoon and this evening, move over eastern Cuba tonight and Thursday morning, and approach the central Bahamas on Thursday, according to the NHC.

Data provided by the NHC from an air force reserve hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 miles per hour (130 km per hour), and some additional strengthening is likely before Sandy moves over Jamaica.

Emergency authorities on the Caribbean island closed schools and prepared shelters to take in residents of flood-prone areas.