(Reuters) - Hurricane Lee, a Category 2 storm, was "rapidly strengthening" as it churned through the Caribbean on Thursday, the U.S.-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has pre-deployed assets and is coordinating with local officials ahead of the storm, the Biden administration said.
However, the hurricane is likely to miss Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as it moves northwest, the NHC's estimated storm path showed.
"The potential for tropical storm conditions to occur in the islands is decreasing, but residents there should continue to monitor updates on Lee," the NHC said.
Lee is expected to remain powerful through the next several days, the NHC added.
Persons:
Hurricane Lee, Biden, Lee, Kylie Madry, Jeff Mason, Aurora Ellis
Organizations:
Reuters, Hurricane Center, U.S ., Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, NHC, Puerto Rico, British
Locations:
Caribbean, U.S, Puerto Rico, U.S . Virgin Islands, Lesser, U.S . Virgin Islands , Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Bahamas, Bermuda