By FILADELFO ALEMAN, Associated Press Writer

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Tropical Storm Ida uprooted trees, knocked down power lines and forced the evacuation of 300 people on Nicaragua's Corn Island after forming Wednesday and quickly gaining strength in the southwestern Caribbean.

The storm was threatening to become a hurricane before making landfall in Nicaragua early Thursday morning.

Heavy rains and winds already pounded the popular resort of Corn Island, knocking down trees, electrical lines and telephone poles. Much of the island had lost and phone service, said Lt. Col. Reinaldo Carrion, the civil defense chief in Bluefields, the city nearest to the island.

Some 300 people were evacuated from poorly constructed, mostly wooden homes, Carrion said. They spent the night in offices of the port authority, the navy and some hotels.

"Fixed telephone lines are out, and cell phone and radio communication is difficult, so we don't have a lot of information," he told The Associated Press.

Ton Bos, owner of the Paraiso Beach Hotel on Corn Island, said winds and rain were heavy, but he had seen worse.

"There is a lot of rain, a lot of wind and some trees are coming down, but it's not a catastrophe," Bos told AP by cellular phone. "I've been here four years and it's been worse than this."

"I'll sleep very well tonight," he said.

Ida's maximum sustained winds were at 70 mph (110 kph) early Thursday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The center said weakening is expected once Ida moves inland.

The hurricane center warned of possible life-threatening flash flood and mudslides, saying storm could dump 15 to 20 inches (40 to 50 centimeters) of rain over eastern Nicaragua.

The ninth named storm of the Atlantic season was centered about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north-northeast of Bluefields and moving northwest near 7 mph (11 kph).

A hurricane watch was in effect for the eastern coast of Nicaragua from Bluefields to the border with Honduras.

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By The Associated Press

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Tropical storm Ida formed in the southwestern Caribbean on Wednesday, quickly gaining muscle and threatening to become a hurricane before making landfall in Nicaragua.

Nicaraguan authorities readied shelters, saying evacuations were likely in the coastal city of Bluefields and the towns of Laguna de Perlas, Cruz de Rio Grando and Kukra Hills.

"We're taking precautions for the storm, which we expect will hit our territory on Thursday," said Lt. Col. Reinaldo Carrion, the head of Civil Defense in Bluefields. "We are ready to act."

Maximum sustained winds were at 65 mph (100 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The center said further strengthening was expected and the storm could become a hurricane before making landfall early Thursday.

The ninth tropical storm of the season was centered about 60 miles (95 kilometers) east of Bluefields and moving northwest near 7 mph (11 kph).

A hurricane watch was in effect for the eastern coast of Nicaragua from Bluefields to the border with Honduras.

Storm warnings remained in effect for the entire eastern coast of Nicaragua but were discontinued for the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia.

By the Associated Press

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Tropical storm Ida formed in the southwestern Caribbean on Wednesday, quickly gaining muscle and prompting storm warnings for the coast of Nicaragua and two Colombian islands.

Nicaraguan authorities readied shelters, saying evacuations were likely in the coastal city of Bluefields and the towns of Laguna de Perlas, Cruz de Rio Grando and Kukra Hills.

"We're taking precautions for the storm, which we expect will hit our territory on Thursday," said Lt. Col. Reinaldo Carrion, the head of Civil Defense in Bluefields. "We are ready to act."

Maximum sustained winds increased to 66 mph (100 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The ninth tropical storm of the season was centered about 65 miles (100 kilometers) east of Bluefields and moving northwest near 6 mph (9 kph).

A hurricane watch was in effect for the eastern coast of Nicaragua from Bluefields to the border with Honduras.

Storm warnings remained in effect for the entire eastern coast of Nicaragua and the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Hurricane Bill could turn the Jersey shore into a surfer's paradise over the weekend.

Forecasters say the storm is expected to whip up the ocean as it passes hundreds of miles off the state's coast. The National Weather Service says waves will build late Friday and over the weekend.

However, swimmers might find themselves on the sand and out of the surf. Officials say there's a high risk of rip currents that could pose a danger.

Forecasters also say scattered showers and thunderstorms may produce torrential rainfall that could cause localized flooding on Friday and Saturday.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Bill has weakened slightly to a Category 3 storm as it roars over the open Atlantic.

Bill's maximum sustained winds had decreased to 125 mph early Thursday. But forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami say Bill could strengthen and become a Category 4 storm again.

Bill is centered about 325 miles north-northeast of the Leeward Islands and about 790 miles south-southeast of Bermuda. The hurricane is moving northwest near 18 mph.

Forecasters say Bill should begin pushing large swells toward Bermuda and parts of the southeastern U.S. coast by the weekend.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

For the north atlantic...Caribbean sea and the gulf of mexico...

The national hurricane center is issuing advisories on tropical depression two...Located about 630 miles west of the southernmost cape verde islands.

The small low over the southeastern caribbean sea has weakened and development of this system is not expected. There is a low chance...Less than 30 percent...Of it becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. A large area of showers and thunderstorms between the cape verde islands and africa is associated with a vigorous tropical wave. Slow development of this system is possible over the next few days as it moves to the west at 10 to 15 mph. There is a medium chance...30 to 50 percent...Of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Elsewhere...Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press

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AP Hurricane Tracker

Follow the latest storm systems that threaten U.S. The AP Hurricane Tracking Chart is updated every three hours with data on a storm's position, wind speeds and potential track.

AP file photo/

This satellite image released by NOAA shows Hurricane Gustav above the Gulf Coast on Sept. 1, 2008.

The Advocate has published its 2009 hurricane preparedness section, "Before the Storm."

This year's section contains vital information and news on several topics, ranging from the 2009 tropical storm forecast to preparedness quizzes and guides.

"Before the Storm"

Hurricane season begins on June 1, and you can get ready this weekend with the state's sales tax holiday. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue joined us with details on 2une In.

NOAA/AP

This satellite image released by NOAA shows Hurricane Gustav above the Gulf Coast on Monday Sept. 1, 2008.

2theadvocate.com has just recently collected the on-line photo galleries from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike onto one convenient index page.

All published galleries, maps and informational graphics published on the site relating to both hurricanes is on the page.

We have included both Advocate and WBRZ staff photos as well as all of our published user submitted photos of the storm and the resulting damage.

Hurricane Photo Galleries from Gustav and Ike