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Tropical Storm Karen takes aim at Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

A woman walks next to the coast as tropical Storm Karen approaches in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, on September 24
A woman walks next to the coast as tropical Storm Karen approaches in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday. Photo: Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images

Tropical Storm Karen triggered limited power outages, flooding and landslides to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as it barreled across the region early Wednesday, AP reports.

Why it matters: The islands are still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria 2 years ago.

Details: Tropical storm warnings had been discontinued for Puerto Rico and all the Virgin Islands, but rains and flash-flooding was set to continue across the islands Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said at 5 a.m. ET.

  • Puerto Rico was jolted by a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck near the island over Monday night, but there was no major damage reported.

The big picture: Karen is 1 of 3 tropical storm systems in the Atlantic Ocean. Per the NHC:

  • Post-Tropical Cyclone Jerry was expected to pass near Bermuda later Wednesday.
  • Lorenzo strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane — the 5th Atlantic hurricane of the season. It's forecast to become a major hurricane by Thursday, but it's not expected to threaten the Caribbean.

Go deeper: The Atlantic Basin's tropical storms and hurricanes in 2019

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details on the storms.

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