WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tropical storm Dorian is expected to sideswipe Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday, bringing heavy rains and sustained winds of up to 60 miles (97 km) per hour in the area, according to the latest forecast of the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The NHC also predicted that the storm will gain power, becoming a Category 2 hurricane as it is expected to reach Florida early Sunday. At that time, chances are that its winds could be as strong as 100 miles (161 km) per hour.
"Tropical storm conditions are expected in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today," the NHC said in updates on the situation Wednesday morning.
"The threat of tropical storm or hurricane conditions, along with storm surge, in the northwestern Bahamas and along portions of the Florida east coast have increased," it added.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday approved an emergency declaration request from Puerto Rico, tweeting Wednesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies are "ready" to provide disaster relief assistance.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Twitter alerted all residents along the state's east coast to prepare for impacts of strong winds, heavy rain and flooding. "Make sure to have your supplies ready," he said.
Dorian is the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Puerto Ricans are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane that hit the island in 2017 with 155 mile (249 km)-per-hour winds.
