SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept 15 (AFP) - Tropical Storm Jeanne set its sights on Puerto Rico Wednesday, dumping heavy rains on the island and threatening to flood some low-lying areas, as Hurricane Ivan raged on to the northwest, threatening the US Gulf Coast.
By early Wednesday, winds picked up across the island as the tropical storm approached from the southeast. Emergency officials reported near-hurricane-force winds on the municipal islands of Vieques and Culebra.
The center of Jeanne was expected to cross over Puerto Rico at around 10:00 am (1400 GMT).
Some roads in the eastern part of the island were flooded, and the National Guard and police stood ready to evacuate residents as needed in low-lying areas.
Flash flood and tropical storm warnings were issued throughout the island.
The threat that Jeanne could turn into a hurricane as it passes over Puerto Rico caught many islanders off guard. Supermarkets and other stores were packed with people buying canned goods, batteries, bottled water and other necessities.
Governor Sila Maria Calderon closed schools and told public-sector workers to stay home until the emergency passed. Airline flights were grounded as the Luis Munoz International Airport was closed.
Because the storm was expected to be slow in passing the island, National Weather Service officials said that rain could drench the island for about 24 hours.
More than 500 people took refuge inside schools and other government facilities until the storm passes, officials said.
Meanwhile, in nearby St. Croix, the US Virgin Islands were reporting more than three inches of rain.