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ROSEAU, Dominica (AP) — Tropical Storm Erika has brought severe flooding today to the tiny island of Dominica in the eastern Caribbean. And authorities are searching for six people who've been reported missing.
Forecasters say nearly nine inches of rain fell on the mountainous island late yesterday, followed by another six inches early today.
Authorities say about 80 percent of the island is without power, and the water supply has been cut off. The main airport is closed by flooding.
The storm is expected to move near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands today, and be near the Dominican Republic tomorrow as it heads toward South Florida early next week. It's not expected to gain strength in the next two days.
The storm's top sustained winds are clocked at 50 miles an hour.
Puerto Rico's governor says the storm could bring some badly-needed rain -- but that heavy downpours could lead to flash floods. He's activated the National Guard as a precaution.
%@AP Links
189-a-10-(Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., with reporters)-"or Monday morning"-Governor Rick Scott says Erika could hit the state late this weekend or the first of next week. (27 Aug 2015)
<<CUT *189 (08/27/15)££ 00:10 "or Monday morning"
180-a-06-(James Franklin, chief forecaster, National Hurricane Center, in AP interview)-"get to Monday"-National Hurricane Center Chief Forecaster James Franklin says Erika's path will bring it to the U.S. coast. (26 Aug 2015)
<<CUT *180 (08/26/15)££ 00:06 "get to Monday"
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