ROSEAU, Dominica (AP) — ROSEAU, Dominica (AP) — Leaders across much of the Caribbean are closing schools and government offices and urging people to stay home as Tropical Storm Isaac takes aim at the region.
In telling people to stay indoors, Dominica's prime minister said, "I don't want lives to be lost."
Puerto Rico's governor has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard ordered all commercial vessels bigger than 200 gross tons to leave the port or obtain permission to remain in port.
The Liat airline expects to cancel its Dominica flights by this afternoon, and American Eagle has already canceled its flights. The fast ferry that runs to Guadeloupe (gwah-duh-LOOP') and Martinique will be stopped temporarily.
The storm is about 200 miles east of Guadeloupe with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles an hour. It's moving west at 19 miles an hour. The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicts it will be a hurricane by tomorrow.
SOUND:
%@AP Links
104-a-10-(John Cangialosi (kan-juh-LOH'-see), hurricane specialist, National Hurricane Center, in AP interview)-"and Puerto Rico"-National Hurricane Center specialist John Cangialosi says Tropical Storm Isaac is moving westward toward the Caribbean. (22 Aug 2012)
<<CUT *104 (08/22/12)>> 00:10 "and Puerto Rico"
105-a-14-(John Cangialosi (kan-juh-LOH'-see), hurricane specialist, National Hurricane Center, in AP interview)-"day on Thursday"-National Hurricane Center specialist John Cangialosi says Tropical Storm Isaac continues to strengthen. (22 Aug 2012)
<<CUT *105 (08/22/12)>> 00:14 "day on Thursday"
APPHOTO NY2: This NOAA satellite image taken Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 shows Tropical Depression Nine currently spinning about 550 miles east of Guadeloupe, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are up to 35 mph and the storm is expected to strengthen as it continues moving northwestward into the Caribbean Sea. (AP Photo/Weather Underground) (21 Aug 2012)
<<APPHOTO NY2 (08/21/12)>>
APPHOTO NY4C: This NOAA satellite image taken Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 shows Tropical Depression Nine currently spinning about 550 miles east of Guadeloupe, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are up to 35 mph and the storm is expected to strengthen as it continues moving northwestward into the Caribbean Sea. (AP Photo/Weather Underground) (21 Aug 2012)
<<APPHOTO NY4C (08/21/12)>>
