Tropical Storm Chris Strengthens
Pastor Dale Morgan
Tropical Storm Chris Strengthens*
By COLIN JAMES
The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 2, 2006; 12:40 AM
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Tropical Storm Chris continued to gain strength
Tuesday as it approached the eastern edge of the Caribbean, prompting a
run on groceries and gas as people prepared for the third named storm of
the Atlantic hurricane season.
The storm had top sustained winds of nearly 60 mph as it passed over the
Leeward Islands, and was expected to gather strength as it approached
Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, according to the
U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Forecasters said it could become a minimal hurricane later in the week.
Long-range forecasts put the storm anywhere from south of Cuba to
Florida by late in the weekend.
As skies darkened and rain began to fall, people began the familiar
ritual of stocking up on gas, food and candles. Tourists at a resort
just outside the Antiguan capital said they had no plans to evacuate.
"I am not going to panic," said Maxwell Stevens of New Brunswick, N.J.
"I will take it in stride."
A tropical storm warning was posted for all the Leewards, including
Antigua, Anguilla, St. Kitts and St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
and British Virgin Islands, the Hurricane Center said.
At 11 p.m. EDT, the storm was centered about 50 miles north of Barbuda,
moving west-northwest at 10 mph, slightly slower than a few hours earlier.
The U.S. National Weather Service said Puerto Rico would begin to
experience strong gusts of wind and heavy rain Wednesday afternoon. The
Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico could receive up to 8 inches of rain and
could experience flash floods and mudslides, forecasters said.
In the central Antiguan village of All Saints, people were determined to
spend the night celebrating the annual Carnival festival, which locals
refer to as "the dance."
"Nothing stops the dance. The weather is good for the dance whether it
rains or not," said bar owner Derol Thomas, 38, as he had a pre-party
drink with friends Tuesday evening.
The first named storm of the 2006 season, Tropical Storm Alberto, swept
over Florida in mid-June, then plowed northward along the U.S. coast
past the Outer Banks. It was blamed for one death.
Last season was the worst in more than 150 years of records. A record
number of tropical storms and hurricanes formed, including the
devastating Hurricane Katrina.
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Associated Press writers John Pain in Miami, Marvin Hokstam in St.
Maarten and Clive Bacchus in St. Kitts contributed to this report.