Tropical Storm Franklin is churning through the Caribbean Sea as authorities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic warn residents to prepare for floods and landslides. The storm on Monday was located 240 miles (390 kilometers) south of the Dominican Republic and had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph). It was moving west at 6 mph (9 kph) and was forecast to make a sharp turn north. Franklin is expected to strengthen before making landfall late Tuesday in Hispaniola. It is the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Heavy rainfall is of great concern to Haiti given severe erosion in the country that leads to deadly floods.
