SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Tropical Storm Bertha approached the Caribbean on Friday as islands in the eastern region prepared for heavy rains and strong winds.
The storm's maximum sustained winds increased slightly late Friday morning to 85 kph, but no significant change in strength is expected in the next two days. Bertha was centred about 110 kilometres northeast of Barbados and was moving west-northwest at 33 kph.
Emergency management officials in Barbados cancelled a tropical storm warning but warned people to stay out of the water, with waves of up to 3 metres expected around the island.
Nadia Thorpe, with Little Arches Boutique Hotel in Barbados, said in a phone interview that the restaurant would be closed for safety and guests would be given sandwiches and snacks instead. However, she noted the storm had not yet generated much rain or wind.
"People are on the beach," she said. "It looks like a normal day so far."
Tropical storm warnings were issued for St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the eastern Dominican Republic.
In St. Lucia, emergency management officials reported overcast skies with constant showers.
"It looks like we're just beginning to see the start of it," Junius St. Hill, acting lead fireman, said by phone. "Today's a holiday, so most people would be indoors anyway."
Antigua-based regional airline LIAT also cancelled several flights in Dominica and St. Lucia.
Bertha is expected to generate up to 8 centimetres of rain across the eastern and northern Caribbean, with isolated amounts of up to 15 centimetres in certain areas.
Officials in Puerto Rico are welcoming the rainfall amid a moderate drought that has hit the island's southern region and a small portion in the northeast. More than half of the U.S. territory also is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with the government reporting $20 million in crop losses.
Strict rationing measures are scheduled to go into effect starting Aug. 6 if the storm doesn't generate enough rain.
"Whether it falls where it needs to fall, that's still to be seen," said Jose Antonio Estrada, National Weather Service meteorologist.
He said the storm is moving quickly and that its effects would be felt all day Saturday in Puerto Rico.
It rained less than an inch in June in Puerto Rico, compared with the month's average of more than 4 inches. July saw more rain, but the 8.64 centimetres that fell was still down from the average of 12 centimetres.
If dry conditions persist, hundreds of thousands of people living in and around the capital of San Juan would get water every other day.
