At 5 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Erika was located 85 miles west of Guadeloup moving toward the west near 16 mph. A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later today continuing in that direction for the next 48 hours.
Erika will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands and near the Virgin Islands later today, Puerto Rico tonight and pass north of the Dominican Republic on Friday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph. The current center of the forecast track has Erika passing the Treasure Coast offshore going north, however the Treasure Coast is still well within the cone of probability..
National Hurricane Center specialist Michael Brennan says forecaster cannot yet predict the storm’s ultimate path and maximum strength.
As the storm creeps closer to South Florida, stores throughout our area are gearing up for the crowds.
Waste Pro is asking residents to please discontinue trimming vegetation at this time, as it will not be collected until after the possible storm has passed.
