Tropical Storm Emily may hit Florida by the weekend
A tropical storm that could be headed for Florida has has stalled south of Puerto Rico.
The forecast predicts that Tropical Storm Emily is making its path toward Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, warning of possible mudslides and floods in both areas.
Emily is currently travelling north and west and could eventually have wind speeds in excess of 74 mph prompting severe weather warnings and watches in Florida.
The storm is moving on a track that would take it to Haiti and the Dominican Republic within 48 hours, and possibly to Florida by the end of the week
Forecasters in Miami say the storm’s latest position is about 245 miles southeast San Juan, Puerto Rico and that they do expect it to gradually strengthen.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Centre, while there have been many tropical storms that have hit land along the Atlantic Seaboard of the U.S. in recent years, the last hurricane to hit the Sunshine State was Jeanne in September 2004.
Caribbean islands in Emily’s path have already been hit with torrential rain, flash flooding, and mudslides while roads have been washed away.
Downpours and waves have caused problems with flooding in the Lesser Antilles, including the failure of a dam on Dominica.
Although its winds are not currently above 40 mph, it is feared Emily may grow into at least a Category 1 hurricane, when winds must hit at least 74 mph on the five-step Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
