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Hurricane Earl Threatens North Caribbean

   Winds reach 160 kph, continue to strengthen

   VOA News 30 August 2010
   Storm Earl

Photo: NASA

   Storm Earl

   Islanders  have  set  up emergency shelters and airlines have canceled
   flights  as  Hurricane  Earl  continues  to  churn toward the northern
   Caribbean.   Cruise  lines  have  diverted ships to avoid the storm's
   path.
   Hardware  stores  have  done a brisk business in plywood and boards as
   residents  and  hotel employees prepare to safeguard windows and doors
   against Earl.
   The  U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said late Sunday Earl has
   strengthened   into  a  category  two  hurricane  with  winds  of  160
   kilometers per hour.  The storm is expected strengthen further.
   Weather  forecasters  predict  Earl  will be a major hurricane by late
   Monday as it approaches the northernmost Leeward Islands.
   A hurricane warning is in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, the
   Virgin Islands and other islands in the region.
   The  hurricane  center say Earl's rains could produce life-threatening
   flash floods and mudslides.

   Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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