Update from San Juan, P.R.....

[dixiebreeze]

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Hurricane Frances strengthened yesterday as it churned near islands of the northeastern Caribbean with ferocious winds capable of snapping trees and tearing homes apart.

Some Puerto Ricans put up metal storm shutters to shield their houses from Frances' winds, which intensified to 125 mph (205 kph) yesterday afternoon. The most powerful winds, however, were forecast to pass north of Puerto Rico and other nearby islands today, then plow into the Bahamas in the coming days.

Taking no chances, teacher Jesus Gimenez put up storm shutters on his hillside house to guard against flying debris.

"The more we get done, the less work it will be when it gets here," said Gimenez, 52, who also stocked up on groceries from evaporated milk to bottled water.

When Hurricane Georges struck Puerto Rico in 1998 with 110-mph (177-kph) winds, it killed three people and damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of homes.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect yesterday for Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and northern US Virgin Islands, while storm watches were issued for St Croix and the French territories of St Martin and St Barthelemy.

Tropical storm warnings were posted for Antigua and Barbuda, Dutch St Maarten, Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, St Eustatius and Saba.

"Everyone who's likely to be affected by this system needs to keep watching it," said Stephen Baig, an oceanographer at the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami.

At 5:00 pm yesterday, the powerful Category Three hurricane was centred about 220 miles (355 kilometres) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and was moving west at 14 mph (22 kph).

The US hurricane centre judged the winds had increased from 120 mph (195 kph) earlier in the day after a US "hurricane hunter" plane flew in to investigate. Hurricane-force winds extended 70 miles (110 kilometres) from the center, while tropical storm-force winds extended 140 miles (220 kilometres).

Outer bands of rain were forecast to reach some of the Leeward Islands late yesterday, and the hurricane was to begin passing north of the islands by early today, then head toward Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas. Officials in Turks and Caicos issued an alert urging residents to prepare.

Forecasters also warned US residents from Florida to the Carolinas to monitor the hurricane. Frances is the third major hurricane of the Atlantic season, following Alex and Charley.
Carnival Cruise Lines said it rerouted three cruise ships, as did Royal Caribbean International.

[cape_escape]

Be Safe Puerto Rico !!!!!!!

[btsgmdad]

Prayers and safety to you all from up north.