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Jeanne, Karl Gain Steam In Caribbean
Written by
Lesly Hallman
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Friday, September 17, 2004 — After rising to Hurricane status and battering Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic yesterday, Tropical Storm Jeanne has been downgraded and continues to weaken, although experts warn it may regain speed in the warm waters of the Caribbean.
Forecasters are keeping an eye on Jeanne as the storm moves over the Caribbean. |
Jeanne was already a hurricane on Thursday when it hit the Dominican Republic with winds close to 80 mph, killing at least four people. The deadly storm killed two in Puerto Rico the day before, and at least 39,000 people were left without water on the island. Authorities also turned off electricity to prevent damage to power plants.
The storm is now moving west-northwest at about 8 miles per hour, with high winds of about 65 miles per hour with some higher gusts. On its current track, Jeanne is expected to reach the Bahamas on Sunday and then head for Florida’s east coast by Wednesday.
All along the eastern seaboard, residents are watching Jeanne closely, as they continue to clean up from Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Ivan. American Red Cross officials are prepared to open shelters in areas that may be affected by Jeanne’s arrival.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Karl, the 11th named storm this hurricane season, is gaining strength and may become a hurricane in the next 24 hours. Located over 500 miles southward of the Cape Verde Islands, it could become a hurricane as early as today.
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