August 28, 2015 9:00 pm

Tropical Storm Erika is dropping heavy rain across Hispaniola tonight. Total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches – with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible – are expected across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, eastern Cuba, and the southeastern and central Bahamas through Saturday. An additional 1 to 2 inches are expected in Puerto Rico. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

Erika is centered about 25 miles southeast of Port Au Prince, Haiti. The cyclone’s broad circulation is gradually moving inland over Haiti as Erika moves toward the west near 21 mph. A turn toward the west-northwest or northwest is expected tonight, with this motion continuing along with a decrease in forward speed through Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move over western Haiti and the Gulf of Gonave early Saturday, and will be near extreme eastern Cuba or the southeastern Bahamas on Saturday night.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph. Some weakening is forecast this afternoon and tonight as Erika moves over land, followed by little change in strength through Saturday night.

Erika is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible across portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the southeastern and central Bahamas through Saturday. An additional 1 to 2 inches is expected for Puerto Rico. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

Get the latest on this tropical cyclone by visiting the NHC website at www.hurricanes.gov