MIAMI, Aug 2, 2011 (AFP) - Tropical Storm Emily cut through the Caribbean sea on a northwesterly path Tuesday, threatening several islands with a dangerous storm surge and punishing winds. The storm was located some 290 miles (470 kilometers) southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, with storm warnings in effect for several islands including Puerto Rico and the French island of Guadeloupe, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory.
The Dominican Republic, Haiti and the US Virgin Islands were under a tropical storm watch for Emily, NHC added. In Haiti, a direct or even indirect brush with a strong tropical system could be especially hazardous, as hundreds of thousands of remain in rough camps without adequate shelter -- over 18 months since the catastrophic January 2010 earthquake. At 0300 GMT the storm was moving westward at almost 17 miles (28 kilometers) per hour. The NHC said a turn toward the west-northwest was expected as well as a slight decrease in forward speed during the next couple of days. The storm had maximum winds of nearly 40 miles (65 kilometers) per hour with even stronger gusts, and it was expected to pick up strength during the next 48 hours.
Emily was expected to move across the northeastern Caribbean Sea and approach Hispaniola late Tuesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected by Tuesday in Puerto Rico, reported the NHC. Additionally, Emily could dump six inches (15 centimeters) of rain in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, with a maximum of 10 inches possible. A storm surge could raise water levels by one to two feet (30-60 centimeters) and was predicted to be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
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