By the CNN Wire Staff <\/p>\n
updated 12:16 AM EDT, Sun October 14, 2012 <\/p>\n
On Bay Road in Basseterre, St. Kitts, two taxis were washed down to the shoreline when they tried to cross the flooded road. <\/p>\n
STORY HIGHLIGHTS <\/p>\n
(CNN) -- Tropical Storm Rafael unleashed heavy rain and powerful gusts to the Virgin Islands and threatened more areas in the Caribbean Sea late Saturday night. <\/p>\n
With sustained winds of 50 mph, Rafael could get even stronger as it bears down on several islands popular with tourists. <\/p>\n
\"Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Rafael could become a hurricane by late Monday,\" the National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 11 p.m. Saturday. <\/p>\n
At that time, the tropical storm was centered about 40 miles west-northwest of St. Marten and 95 miles east of St. Croix. Rafael was moving north at 14 mph. <\/p>\n
A tropical storm warning is in effect for a number of Caribbean isles, including the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, St. Marten, Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts and Guadeloupe. Dousing rains and steady winds in excess of 39 mph are expected in 12 to 24 hours in these places, according to the hurricane center. Puerto Rico is under a tropical storm watch, meaning such conditions are possible. <\/p>\n
College Street, which runs through the middle of Basseterre, is filled with floodwaters. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Continued here:<\/p>\n
Tropical Storm Rafael threatens Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By the CNN Wire Staff updated 12:16 AM EDT, Sun October 14, 2012 On Bay Road in Basseterre, St. Kitts, two taxis were washed down to the shoreline when they tried to cross the flooded road. STORY HIGHLIGHTS (CNN) -- Tropical Storm Rafael unleashed heavy rain and powerful gusts to the Virgin Islands and threatened more areas in the Caribbean Sea late Saturday night. Continue reading