Eastern Caribbean braces for rain, wind as Erika approaches - San Jose Mercury News

James Franklin, chief hurricane forecaster, looks at an image of Tropical Storm Erika as it moves westward towards islands in the eastern Caribbean, at the National Hurricane Center, Wednesday, Aug. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Puerto Rico, the U. S. and British Virgin Islands, and the Leeward islands. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Government leaders ordered schools, airports and even casinos to close and they prepared shelters as Tropical Storm Erika approached the eastern Caribbean on Wednesday. The storm was located about 110 miles (175 kilometers) east-southeast of Antigua and was moving west at 16 mph (26 kph) with maximum sustained of 45 mph (75 kph). Erika was forecast to pass near Antigua and Barbuda overnight, with authorities in the twin-island nation warning of flash floods given the extremely dry conditions caused by the worst drought to hit the Caribbean in recent years. Boats at Shell Beach Marina on Antigua's north coast have been out of the water since Saturday, with people not taking chances as Erika approaches, said Caroline Davy, a marina employee. She said many people were caught off-guard when Tropical Storm Gonzalo battered Antigua last October. National Hurricane Center said Erika would move over or near parts of the Leeward Islands late Wednesday and then near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Thursday. Source: www.mercurynews.com