Flood fear as storm hits Caribbean

Tropical Storm Rafael has lashed the eastern Caribbean with heavy rains which are expected to unleash floods on islands around the region.

The storm was about 100 miles east-southeast of St Croix in the US Virgin Islands late on Saturday afternoon local time. It had top sustained winds of 50mph and was moving north at 12mph.

The US National Hurricane Centre said the storm will gain some strength and pass near or over the Virgin Islands.

Cape Air and regional carrier LIAT cancelled flights scheduled to leave Puerto Rico’s main international airport, and the Carnival Victory cruise ship cancelled a stop in St Maarten.

Flooding was reported in Trinidad, where the storm caused a brief power outage at the island’s main international airport late on Friday. At least one flight was cancelled.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Barbuda, St Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Montserrat, St Maartin and Guadeloupe.

Puerto Rico is under a tropical storm watch.

Meanwhile, tropical depression Patty disintegrated east-northeast of the central Bahamas.