Earl and Fiona storm update

Hurricane Earl battered tiny islands across the northeastern Caribbean with heavy rain and roof-ripping winds yesterday, rapidly intensifying into a major Category 4 storm on a path projected towards the United States.



Already dangerous with sustained winds of 135 miles or 215 kilometres per hour, Earl is expected to gain more strength before potentially brushing the U.S. East Coast this week.



In the Caribbean, Earl caused flooding in low-lying areas and damaged homes on islands including Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla and St Maarten.



Several countries and territories reported power outages.



The storm's center passed just north of the British Virgin Islands yesterday afternoon and is forecast to approach the United States Mid-Atlantic region around Thursday, before curving back out to sea, potentially swiping New England or far-eastern Canada.



Meanwhile Fiona has become the third storm churning in the Atlantic.

Fiona, the Atlantic’s sixth storm with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour is expected to strengthen slowly over the next two days.



A tropical storm watch is in effect for Antigua, Anguilla, Barbuda, Montserrat, Saba, St Kitts and Nevis, St Eustatius and St Maarten.