Puerto Rico schools closing ahead of Tropical Depression Karen

Tropical Depression Karen will move near or over Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

September 23, 2019, 4:48 PM

Schools in Puerto Rico will be closed Tuesday as residents gear up for impacts from Tropical Depression Karen, the governor said.

Karen could bring heavy rain and possibly flash flooding to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some areas could see up to 8 inches of rain.

PHOTO: Tropical Storm Karen is now a minimal Tropical Storm with winds gusting at only 40 mph.
Tropical Storm Karen is now a minimal Tropical Storm with winds gusting at only 40 mph.
ABC News

Karen, which already hit Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago, will move near or over Puerto Rico on Tuesday morning.

PHOTO: Residents remove mud from a gas station during a rain storm caused by Tropical Storm Karen in Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago, Sept. 22, 2019.
Residents remove mud from a gas station during a rain storm caused by Tropical Storm Karen in Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago, Sept. 22, 2019.
Andrea De Silva/Reuters
PHOTO: A resident wades through an area flooded by a rain storm caused by Tropical Storm Karen in Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago, Sept. 22, 2019.
A resident wades through an area flooded by a rain storm caused by Tropical Storm Karen in Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago, Sept. 22, 2019.
Andrea De Silva/Reuters

After slamming Puerto Rico, most models show Karen slowing down and some models forecast the storm moving west towards the Bahamas. But other models show Karen moving east, away from the U.S. and the Bahamas -- it's too soon to tell where it'll go.

In Puerto Rico, where residents are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria two years ago, Gov. Wanda Vazquez tweeted Sunday that government agencies are communicating and preparing ahead of the storm.

"I urge citizens to be calm but vigilant and update their family's plan," Vazquez said.

Tropical Storm Jerry is also churning in the Atlantic and isn't forecast to strengthen to a hurricane. It should move just north of Bermuda, where a tropical storm warning has been issued.

PHOTO: Tropical Storm Jerry is not expected to strengthen but a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued in Bermuda.
Tropical Storm Jerry is not expected to strengthen but a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued in Bermuda.
ABC News

The biggest threat for Bermuda will be some gusty winds and up to 3 inches of rain Tuesday night through Wednesday.

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