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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Beryl s weakened to a tropical storm Saturday but was still expected to pour heavy rain over the Lesser Antilles by the end of the weekend on the way to the Eastern Caribbean, which represent a new threat to the islands that are rebuilding after the storms of last year
A tropical storm warning was issued for Guadeloupe and Dominica after a storm Category 5 in September. Dominica's weather service said weather conditions would begin to deteriorate on Saturday night and would prevent at least four inches of rain, with the storm expected to pass over or near Dominica Sunday night.
Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit the trajectory and intensity of the storm could still change and urged people to remain vigilant. He also asked people to stock water because he said the government would shut down the water system as a protective measure.
"They should not let their guard down," he said. Guadeloupe said people should be prepared for strong winds and dangerous waves.
A tropical storm watch was issued for the French territories of Martinique, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barth as well as Saint-Martin and the Barbados Islands. Lucia, Saba and St. Eustatius. Deeper in the Caribbean, the state of emergency was declared in Puerto Rico, where Maria caused more than 100 billion dollars.
Beryl became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season on Friday, but it weakened on Saturday. The US National Hurricane Center reported that the maximum winds sustained by Beryl had decreased to 75 km / h by the end of Saturday. It was centered 495 miles (795 kilometers) east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles and was moving west at 30 km / h (18 mph).
People in the Caribbean did not take risks. Long queues were reported outside grocery stores in Dominica, Puerto Rico and elsewhere while people were buying food and water
Sandra Whitcher, one of the owners of Coffeeriver Cottages in Dominica. "She told The Associated Press, adding that the teams have fortified the roofs of the seven cottages that survived Hurricane Maria." I can not say I did not not afraid, but I know we have prepared as much as we can. "
Forecasters have said that Beryl should further weaken after entering the Caribbean.It was planned to move south of Puerto Rico on Monday as a tropical depression, but forecasters have warned that US territory devastated by storms could see winds of 30 mph and heavy rains that could cause floods and mudslides, at four inches of rain was expected in Puerto Rico, with higher quantities in remote areas
Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello declared the state of emergency for the island and suspended work on Monday. public university of the island also announced that it would close, with all the state parks, nature reserves and rain forest of El Yunque, a popular site with tourists.
Rossello told reporters that the island is likely to experience power outages. become more vulnerable since Hurricane Maria. He said however that recovery should be faster since there are now more crews and energy restoration equipment on the island. More than 1,500 clients remain in the dark more than nine months after Maria.
The governor urged people without a sturdy roof to move in with parents or government shelter. He recently noted that some 60,000 people still had only tarpaulins for the roofs.
"This system has been quite unpredictable," said Puerto Rico's Minister of Health Rafael Rodriguez.
To the north, a tropical depression was found in the Atlantic, off the coast of North Carolina, and forecasters said there was no coastal surveillance nor d & # 39; Warning in force. The hurricane center said it would likely become a tropical storm on Saturday night or Sunday and continue to strengthen over the next few days by winding up at sea.
The storm was centered 260 km south of Cape Hatteras Saturday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km / h. It was stationary and only a minimal movement was planned for the next days.
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