Erika Becomes Stronger, Center Of Storm Moving Near Territory; Up To 8 Inches Of Rain In Some Areas

Tropical Storm Erika has gained strength overnight moving from 45 to near 50 miles per hour with higher gusts, the National Hurricane Center has reported in its 5:00 a.m. weather advisory. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.

According to the latest report, the center of Erika will move near the territory later today, and the system is expected to produce up to 8 inches of rain in some areas.

Erika was located near latitude 16.8 North, longitude 61.5 West as of 5:00 this morning. The storm is moving toward the west near 16 mph. A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later today, and this general motion should continue for the next 48 hours.

On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands this morning, move near the Virgin Islands later today, move near or north of Puerto Rico tonight, and pass north of the north coast of the Dominican Republic on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

WIND

The NHC says tropical storm conditions are expected to spread across the warning area in the Leeward Islands this morning, and reach the Virgin Islands later today and Puerto Rico tonight. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in the Leeward Islands this morning. Tropical storm conditions could reach portions of the watch area in the Dominican Republic on Friday and the southeastern Bahamas, and Turks and the Caicos Islands late Friday and Friday night.

RAINFALL

Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Turk and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas through Saturday.

Governor Kenneth Mapp has shuttered all government operations today in light of the storm’s near direct impact to the territory. All details here.

Other closures include the territory’s major banks, UVI is closed and all public school-related activities for today have been suspended. Seaborne airlines also updated its list of cancellations.