Dominican Republic issues storm warnings

The Dominican Republic on Wednesday issued warnings as Tropical Storm Isaac raced through the Caribbean Sea, picking up strength and probably becoming a hurricane along the way. According to the latest report from the Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center, the ninth storm of the season was about 340 km east of Guadalupe Island in the southern Caribbean Sea, and was traveling west at a speed of 31 km per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 74 kph. The Dominican Republic's National Meteorology Office (ONAMET) issued a hurricane warning for areas from eastern Saona Island to southern Pedernales and a tropical storm alert for areas from Saona Island to northwest Manzanillo Bay. ONAMET explained in a statement that the zones under alert could feel the effects of the tropical storm within the next 48 hours. The storm is expected to bring torrential rains, thunderstorms and gusty winds in the north, northeast and southeast regions on Thursday afternoon and evening, and to extend throughout the entire country on Friday and Saturday. Earlier this month, Tropical Storm Ernesto caused downpours and some damage in the southern region of the country. Weather forecasters estimated that nine to 15 tropical storms and four to eight hurricanes would hit the country during the hurricane season this year. Last year, the Dominican Republic went through 12 tropical storms and six hurricanes.