BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):
A TROPICAL depression over the Atlantic has developed, bringing gusty winds and heavy rains toward the eastern Caribbean islands of Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.
The system's centre was expected to move over parts of those islands today, and by tomorrow it could strengthen to a hurricane over the open Caribbean Sea, said Robbie Berg, a meteorologist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
STORM WATCHES
Tropical storm watches were issued yesterday morning for Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Lucia. If the system strengthens as expected, it would become Tropical Storm Earl.
At 2:00 p.m. (1800 GMT), the depression had sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) just below the tropical storm threshold of 39 mph (63 kph) and was located about 455 miles (735 kilometres) east-southeast of Barbados, according to the Hurricane Center. It was moving toward the west-northwest at about 24 mph (39 kph).
"The system can move over the islands anywhere," Berg said.
By tomorrow the system could strengthen further, with its winds reaching the 74 mph (119 kph) threshold at which tropical storms become hurricanes, Berg said. If it does become a hurricane, it would be the third of the Atlantic season.
Meanwhile, a weakening Hurricane Charley roared into North Carolina yesterday, threatening floods and tornadoes. The storm killed at least 15 people as it crossed Florida, then returned to land at McClellanville, South Carolina.
Earlier, Charley killed three people in Cuba and one in Jamaica. Tornadoes spun off by Tropical Storm Bonnie killed three people in North Carolina earlier in the week.
As for the latest depression off Barbados, "it's poorly organised at the moment," Berg said. Forecasters warned islanders to closely monitor the system.
LITTLE CONCERN
Most people, however, expressed little concern. Some fishermen in Barbados went out yesterday despite the storm watch.
In St. Lucia, islanders went about their normal weekend business, shopping in supermarkets.
"If the storm, depression or whatever strikes, I guess I'll just have to go with the tide," said Joyce Stanfield, a hairdresser who said she was more concerned about preparing a party.
St. Lucia was forecast to face gusty winds and rains that could trigger flooding or landslides, said Thomas Auguste, a meteorologist at the island's weather office.
Heavy rain and severe lightning already affected St. Lucia Friday night, and the lightning knocked out electricity to parts of the capital, Castries. On Saturday morning there were occasional showers and otherwise sunny skies.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Danielle formed off the African coast on Friday. On Saturday, that storm was located about 220 miles (350 kilometres) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands. It had sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) but was forecast to turn northward and spin out over the central Atlantic, not threatening any land.
