Tropical Storm Karen path update: Flash flooding and mudslides forecast for Puerto Rico

According to the NHC 5am (AST) public advisory, Tropical Storm Karen currently has maximum sustained wind speeds of 45mph. Karen is about 155 miles north-northeast of San Juan Puerto Rico, and is moving in a northerly direction at a speed of 14mph. Karen is expected to bring with it additional rainfall accumulations of one to two inches across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with isolated storm totals of eight inches.

The NHC warn: “These rains may cause flash flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous areas.

“Some areas in southeastern Puerto Rico have already received up to five inches of rainfall, which has caused some flooding.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands authorities reported flooding and landslides, along with limited power outages.

Roads were also temporarily closed in southeastern Puerto Rico due to flooding.

Tropical Storm Warnings for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra and the US Virgin Islands has been discontinued with this advisory.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has also discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for the British Virgin Islands.

Karen is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours.

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The NHC said in their 5am (AST) outlook for Tropical Storm Karen: “At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Karen was located near latitude 20.5 North, longitude 65.2 West. Karen is moving toward the north near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue this morning.

“A motion toward the north-northeast is forecast to occur by this afternoon and continue through Thursday.

“On the forecast track, the center of Karen will continue to move farther away from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands today through Thursday.”

Alongside Karen, several tropical systems are currently chugging along the Atlantic, including Jerry and Lorenzo.

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Jerry has become a post-tropical cyclone now, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 45mph.

Lorenzo has officially upgraded to become the fifth Atlantic hurricane of the season, and is projected to become a major hurricane by Thursday.

Hurricane Lorenzo currently has maximum sustained wind speeds of 80mph, and is about 640 miles west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.

Lorenzo is expected to strengthen during the next couple of days.

Fox 35 meteorologist Kristin Giannas said: “The good news is Lorenzo will stay over the open waters of the Atlantic. No threat to land.”

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source: express.co.uk