Tropical Storm Erika lashes Puerto Rico after killing 4 in Dominica

Tropical Storm Erika hit Puerto Rico with rain and wind on Friday after killing at least four people and causing devastating floods in the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, where several people remained missing.

The storm was expected to dump up to 8 inches of rain across the drought-stricken northern Caribbean as it carved a path toward the United States. The storm is not expected to gain strength as it nears South Florida on Monday. However, Florida Gov. Rick Scott did declare a state of emergency on Friday morning a day after urging residents to “be prepared.” 

Erika was located about 90 miles southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and was moving west near 17 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph. Authorities in the Dominican Republic prepared for Erika's arrival on Friday, including the popular tourist areas of Punta Cana, Samana and Puerto Plata.

Meanwhile, rescue crews in Dominica continued to search for missing and injured people after the storm dropped 15 inches of rain as it passed over the island.

Assistant Police Superintendent Claude Weekes said Friday by phone that authorities still haven't been able to access many areas on the mountainous island because of impassable roads and bridges.

“The aftermath is loads of damage,” he said. “It really has been devastating.”

An elderly blind man and two children died when a mudslide hit their home in the island's southeast region. Another man was found dead near his home in the capital of Roseau after a mudslide, but the cause of death could not be immediately determined.

The death toll in Dominica may still increase, as authorities have said that at least 20 people are still missing. 

Some narrowly escaped being engulfed by water as Erika downed trees and power lines, unleashing heavy floods that swept cars down streets and ripped scaffolding off some buildings.

“I was preparing to go to work when all of a sudden I heard this loud noise and saw the place flooded with water,” said Shanie James, a 30-year-old mother who works at a bakery. “We had to run for survival.”

Mudslides also destroyed dozens of homes across Dominica, including that of 46-year-old security guard Peter Julian, who had joined friends after leaving work.

“When I returned, I saw that my house that I have lived in for over 20 years was gone,” he said. “I am blessed to be alive. God was not ready for me … I have lost everything and now have to start all over again.”

Al Jazeera and The Associated Press