Emily breaks apart over Hispaniola; 20 inches of rain possible in isolated areas



Emily is the big mass just to the left of center.


Former Tropical Storm Emily has broken apart after causing floods and damaging hundreds of homes in Haiti.

National Hurricane Center forecasters in Miami said late Thursday afternoon that the storm is now a low pressure system that is dumping rains over Hispaniola. All watches and warnings have been canceled.

Strong winds whipped through palm trees in the capital of Haiti, while heavier rains fell further north, damaging homes, as well as a cholera treatment center. But there were no reports of deaths.

Although Emily has weakened, it is still capable of producing total rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches, with isolated amounts of 20 inches possible over the Dominican Republic and Haiti, according to the hurricane center's 5 p.m. advisory. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

Total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected across eastern Cuba, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Forecasters are monitoring the system for redevelopment.