Tropical Storm Philippe pelts northeast Caribbean with heavy rains and forces schools to close

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical storm Philippe is dropping heavy rains in the northeast Caribbean and forcing governments to close schools in the region as forecasters warn of flash flooding. The storm was located about 55 miles, or about 90 kilometers, northeast of St. Thomas on Tuesday afternoon and had winds of up to 45 mph. Philippe made landfall in Barbuda late Monday and was moving northwest at 10 mph. A tropical storm watch was in effect for the British Virgin Islands. Forecasters warned that the strongest winds and rains would be felt by islands located south of the storm’s center.