San Juan, August 28 (RHC)-- Puerto Rico is under a state of emergency, ordered by its colonial power in Washington, as Tropical Storm Dorian makes its way through the Caribbean. Forecasters warn heavy rain could cause landslides, heavy flooding and power outages on the island still recovering from Hurricane Maria almost two years ago.

As of 5 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, August 28, Dorian was packing 60 mph sustained winds.  Its center was some 85 miles southeast of St. Croix and it was moving northwest at 13 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 60 miles from the center.

Forecasters said Dorian's center will pass over or near Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands later Wednesday and the storm will be near hurricane strength when it does. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches are expected, with ten inches in some places.

Tropical storm conditions are possible in portions of the Dominican Republic Wednesday night and Thursday, and Dorian is on track to hit the Bahamas and Florida in coming days.