MET OFFICE EXPECTS LEEWARDS TO BE SPARED ERIN’S STRONGEST WINDS, BUT URGES VIGILANCE

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services says a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Barbuda as Erin continues on a path that will see it pass just north of the Leeward Islands. The storm was about 430 miles east of Barbuda at 8am Friday, with sustained winds of 70 miles per hour.

The Met Office is optimistic that its west-northwesterly track should spare the Leewards from the core of its strongest winds. Erin is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane later today, before passing north of the islands

The Met Office is urging residents to remain on alert, as areas of heavy rainfall are forecast to begin late Friday and continue through the weekend across the northernmost Leeward Islands, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, as well as southern and eastern Puerto Rico.

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