Tropical storm Beryl swirls toward Caribbean, may strengthen into hurricane

Tropical Storm Beryl chugged toward the southeast Caribbean on Saturday and could strengthen into the year's first hurricane before reaching Barbados late Sunday.

A hurricane watch was issued for Barbados as the island's meteorological service warned of flash flooding and power outages. Beryl is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 storm before reaching Barbados, with its center forecast to pass some 26 miles (45 kilometers) south of the island, said Sabu Best, the meteorological service's director.

On Saturday, Beryl was located about 975 miles (1,570 kilometers) east-southeast of Barbados, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph). It was moving west at 21 mph (33 kph).

We need to be ready, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley said in a public address late Friday. You and I know when these things happen, it is better to plan for the worst and pray for the best.

She noted that thousands of people are in Barbados for the Twenty20 World Cup cricket final, with India and So