Tropical Storm Harvey slams Caribbean islands, heads for Central America

Doyle Rice | USA TODAY

Tropical Storm Harvey brought drenching rain and strong winds to several islands in the eastern Caribbean on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said.

Authorities in the eastern Caribbean warned residents to stay indoors Friday, the Associated Press reported.

The heavy rain "could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides," the hurricane center warned.

Harvey should continue to move west across the Caribbean Sea and hit Central America next week. It's forecast to strengthen to near hurricane-force by Monday as it approaches Nicaragua, Honduras and Belize.

In addition to rain and wind, the storm will also threaten storm surge and coastal flooding as it approaches and makes landfall.

As of 5 p.m. ET, the hurricane center said Harvey had winds of up to 40 mph and was moving west at 21 mph. The storm was centered about 130 miles west-southwest of St. Lucia.

Two other areas are being watched in the central Atlantic for possible development, the hurricane center said.

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