Haiti and Dominican Republic warn of floods and landslides as Tropical Storm Franklin nears

By DÁNICA COTO
Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Franklin is churning through the Caribbean Sea as authorities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic warn residents to prepare for floods and landslides. The storm was centered 290 miles south of the Dominican Republic late Monday and had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. It was temporarily stationary but forecast to make a sharp turn north on Tuesday toward Hispaniola, the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Franklin is expected to strengthen before making landfall on the island early Wednesday. Heavy rainfall is of great concern to Haiti, where severe erosion often leads to deadly floods.