Tomas gains hurricane strength, batters Barbados and heads to Windward island

Tracking map at 5 pm Saturday

Tropical Storm Tomas on Saturday blew off the roofs of several buildings, uprooted trees and utility poles and made several roads impassable in Barbados as it the storm headed to the northern Windward Islands where it gained strength and was declared a category one hurricane.

Rescue and medical officials warned Barbadians and visitors to remain indoors and the storm battered the island. Medical officials reported that they had received several calls from persons suffering from various injuries.

The regional airline, LIAT, and American Airlines cancelled flights in and out of the Grantley Adams International Airport for the day.

By 4 in the afternoon Tomas was affecting St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 km/h). A hurricane warning issued for both islands and also for the French island of Martinique. Tropical storm warnings remain in effect Dominica, Grenada and Tobago.

At 5 p.m. Saturday Tomas was moving slowly on a west-northwest path. Forecasters say it is expected to stay on that course through Sunday. They said it will get stronger over then next 48 hours.