Chantal rips through Dominica, racing towards Hispaniola

ROSEAU (AP):

Tropical Storm Chantal raced across small islands in the Eastern Caribbean yesterday as officials issued a hurricane watch for the southern coast of the Dominican Republic.

It is expected to pass more than 100 miles (160 kilometres) south of Puerto Rico early this morning. Up to yesterday, Roberto Garcia, director of the National Weather Service, said the storm was expected to produce rain and strong winds in Puerto Rico, with gusts of up to 60mph (96kph) in southern and mountainous areas.

Officials in Dominica reported that heavy winds ripped off the roofs of several homes. But no injuries were reported in Dominica, or anywhere else in the region.

"It's getting rough out there," said Conrad Ceasar, an emergency management official for Dominica's southern region. "Some parts of the island are without electricity."

The government cancelled the country's ferry service and closed airports, and National Security Minister Charles Savarin said government offices would close at noon. "Chantal is a serious storm," he said.

Chantal could be near hurricane strength before it reaches Hispaniola, the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Both countries are vulnerable to flooding and landslides from storms, but widespread deforestation andramshackle housing in Haiti mean even moderate rains pose a significant threat.

In St Lucia, Prime Minister Kenny Anthony issued the "all clear" for the reopening of the tourism-dependent island's twoairports as Chantal moved over the open Caribbean Sea.