Government workers on the islands of the northeast Caribbean are clearing drains and pruning trees as authorities urge residents to prepare for Hurricane Irma, a Category 3 storm that will likely begin buffeting the region on Tuesday.
The Antigua and Barbuda weather service said Irma was expected to bring heavy rains, rough surf and high winds, and the government closed schools on Monday.
Hurricane watches were posted for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Monserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and St. Barts.
The US National Hurricane Centre said islands farther north, including the US British and Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, should monitor the progress of the storm and be prepared for Irma possibly to head their direction.
Long-range forecasts indicated Irma likely would curve to the northwest beginning late on Monday and skirt to the north of the islands in the eastern Caribbean on a path that could potentially take it to the US east coast.
Antigua's prime minister, Gaston Browne, urged people to take preventative measures, saying that should include cleaning drains and removing objects that could be sent flying by high winds.
The US hurricane centre said Irma had maximum sustained winds of 195km/h on Monday morning and some strengthening was expected through Tuesday night. The storm was centred about 980km east of the Leeward Islands and moving west-southwest at 22km/h.
Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rossello said government agencies in the US territory were prepared to deal with any emergencies caused by the storm but warned of flooding and power outages.
He said up to 20cm of rain were expected.
In the Dominican Republic, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo said workers there were clearing away roadworks and also cleaning out blockages of sewer drains.
