SAN JUAN –  Puerto Rico activated the National Guard and canceled the start of classes in public schools as forecasters warned that the US territory would be hit by Tropical Storm Ernesto, which formed in the Atlantic Ocean Monday.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect for Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St Barts and St Maarten.

The storm was located about 295 miles (475 kilometers) off Antigua. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 28 mph (44 kph). Ernesto is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Officials in the French Caribbean said the storm was expected to drench Guadeloupe today and pass near St Barts and St Martin. The National Hurricane Center said Ernesto is forecast to approach Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands on Tuesday evening. (Jamaica-gleaner)…[+]