ST JOHN’S, Antigua (Reuters) – Tropical Storm Philippe continues to churn northwest across the Caribbean on Tuesday morning, dumping flooding rains on Antigua and Barbuda, the U.S.-based National Hurricane Center said.
The downpour is also expected over Anguilla in the morning, with strong winds likely elsewhere in the Leeward Islands, according to the hurricane center.
The storm made landfall in Antigua and Barbuda on Monday, flooding some homes and leaving some residents stranded in their vehicles, the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) said.
Emergency personnel are urging individuals to remain indoors until authorities give the all-clear.
In addition to rescue efforts, NODS reported that firefighters are struggling to suppress a major fire at the Yacht Club Marina, which houses the Alfa Nero superyacht, in English Harbour.
Wind gusts are exacerbating the situation, NODS said.
The storm is located about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of Anguilla, carrying maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (85 kph), according to the Miami-based weather forecaster.
The Miami-based hurricane center added that Storm Philippe is forecast to produce between 4 to 8 inches (10-20 cm) of rainfall from Barbuda southward to Dominica, bringing scattered flash flooding.
(Reporting by Robertson Henry in St John’s, Antigua; Writing by Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
