Hurricane Earl strengthens

Hurricane Earl has been upgraded to a dangerous, Category Four storm, and weather experts warn that catastrophic damage will occur, if it makes landfall, as it crosses the northern Caribbean.

Before heading north, the storm dumped heavy rains on the Leeward Islands.

Hurricane Earl the second major storm of the season battered the Leeward Islands early Monday morning with winds and heavy rains.

Weather officials at the US National Hurricane Centre forecast as much as 8 centimetres of rain from the storm.

The threat of damage to property and injury to human life has forced the closure of schools and businesses across much of the region and the US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh issued advice to islanders on Monday.

“Residents and visitors should spend Monday taking the necessary steps to secure their family and property. We anticipate several hours of rain and gusty winds across the territory. The winds in some locations will be Tropical Storm force with high gusts,”

“I encourage everyone to stay tuned to the latest weather information from the media until Hurricane Earl has safely passed the territory,” he said.

[Story courtesy of the BBC Caribbean Service]