Authorities are now advising residents in the Caribbean about the three tropical storms – Emily, Gert, and Franklin – that spun up over the weekend.
Franklin, which was named on Sunday when winds associated with the system broke the 39-miles per hour threshold for tropical storms, is “likely to produce heavy rains over portions of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico during the next couple of days,” according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. update. Currently about 245 miles south of Santo Domingo with maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour, Franklin is now moving west at 12 miles per hour, but a sharp northward turn has been forecast for Monday night into Tuesday, which will carry the storm towards Hispaniola, strengthening as it goes, until it makes landfall on Tuesday evening or night.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the southern coast of Hispaniola, from Anse d’Hainault in Haiti to Isla Saona in the Dominican Republic. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the entire north and east coast of the Dominican republic, from the Haitian border to Isla Saona.
Franklin is expected to bring up to 4 inches of rain to Puerto Rico with 6 inches expected in isolated areas, with weather conditions lasting into the middle of the week. In Hispaniola, up to 10 and 15 inches of rain might fall during the same timeframe. A 1-3 foot storm surge will accompany Franklin’s landfall.
Meanwhile Gert and Emily pose no threat to land. Gert, which is “quickly unraveling,” is currently located about 455 miles east southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, and moving west at 9 miles per hour.
Tropical storm Emily will soon become a post-tropical cyclone, according to forecasters. “During the past few hours, Emily has rapidly lost what remained of its deep convection,” the update read. The system will continue weakening as the day continues.
The next update from NHC will be issued at 8 am.
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