The outer bands of strengthening Tropical Storm Rafael drenched the Leeward Islands today as its centre moved over the ocean on a track toward Bermuda, the Associate Press reported.
AP said that there were no immediate reports of any significant damage or injuries in the islands as the centre of the tropical storm churned toward the north-northwest. By late Sunday morning, it was about 170 miles (275 kilometres) northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was packing winds of roughly 60 mph (95 kph).
Forecasters at the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami said Rafael could strengthen into a hurricane by late Monday as it spins over the open Atlantic.
Rafael is expected to approach Bermuda on Tuesday.
Tropical storm warnings have been discontinued for Caribbean islands. But the possibility of flooding and mudslides are still a concern in some islands, particularly in mountainous terrain, since Rafael has been forecasted to dump between four to six inches of rain over the Lesser Antilles, small islands that include Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia.
