Grace storms through Caribbean as Fred weakens to tropical wave

CGTN

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Tropical Storm Grace was moving west towards the Leeward Island after it formed in the Caribbean. WhileFred has weakened to a tropical wave as it moved into the Gulf of Mexico, butthe U.S. National Hurricane Center warned itcould regainstrength.

The center said that Grace was expected to reach the Lesser Antilles this weekend.A tropicalstorm warning was declared for the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.Grace threatens to bring heavy rains and floods to those areas.

There were forecasts that Fred may bring rain to southern Florida and the small island chain south off the state’s tip. Local officials advised tourists to seek shelter but did not announce evacuations.

Fred hasalreadydrenched Haiti and the Dominican Republic,with the stormknockingout power to some 400,000 homes. Floods forced officials to suspendwater service for hundreds of thousands ofpeople.

Weather experts warn that the warm waters of the Gulf may help to turn Fred back into a tropical depression and even into a full blown storm.

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