Tropical Storm Bret heads towards eastern Caribbean at near-hurricane strength

A satellite image shows Tropical Storm Bret as it heads towards the eastern Caribbean (NOAA via AP)

A hurricane watch has been issued for St Lucia as Tropical Storm Bret headed towards the eastern Caribbean at near-hurricane strength.

The storm was located about 220 miles east of St Lucia late Thursday morning and was moving west at 14mph. It had maximum sustained winds of 70mph, just below the 74mph winds of a Category 1 hurricane.