Storm Fiona poses threat for Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Fiona is passing near Guadeloupe, hitting some of the Caribbean’s easternmost islands with strong rain and wind as forecasters warn the storm could later threaten Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic with dangerous rains. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Fiona likely will become a hurricane near the Bahamas next week. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Lester in the eastern Pacific is moving toward a Saturday landfall on Mexico’s southwestern coast. The hurricane center says Fiona will be near Puerto Rico late Saturday and could drop up to a foot of rain in places. The storm is forecast to cross the Dominican Republic on Monday, with rainfall of up to 16 inches possible in spots. That much rain could cause flash floods and mudslides .