The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports Lenny has weakened and is now a Category I storm with maximum sustained winds of 95 mph. Early today, the hurricane was located just south of St. Maarten and was nearly stationary. NHC forecasters think Lenny will begin to move to the northeast later in the morning. All storm advisories for the US possessions have been lifted.

The center of the storm passed approximately 20 miles off St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, yesterday afternoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, making it a strong Category IV storm. The core of the hurricane has since passed clear of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

FEMA Director James Lee Witt said the President took the action early this evening after receiving from FEMA expedited requests for federal relief from the governors of the hurricane-affected islands.

"The President has committed all

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Hurricane Lenny battered the fragile islands of the northeast Caribbean early on Thursday with ferocious winds near 145 mph (230 kph) and monstrous waves that smashed fishing fleets and washed coastal homes into the sea.

Lenny scored a direct hit on St. Croix, one of three isles that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many of St. Croix's 55,000 residents were caught off guard Wednesday by the storm's rapid strengthening, said John Stout, a professor at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Croix.

This message is not an official hurricane warning or alert for any country.

1. The National Hurricane Centre in Miami reports that hurricane Lenny has become a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir/Simpson Scale (5 being the highest rating).

2. A hurricane warning remains in effect for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. A hurricane warning is also in effect for Anguilla, Antigua and

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Howling winds and torrential winds battered the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday as Hurricane Lenny, a storm capable of causing severe damage, steamed through the northeastern Caribbean with winds near 135 mph (215 kph).

Forecasters said the 55,000 residents of St. Croix, an island south of St. John, were most likely to sustain a direct hit from Lenny's pounding surf and fierce winds.

"The hurricane should enter St. Croix over the southeast shore by the Hess Refinery ... , then exit over

In Puerto Rico, schools and businesses have been closed, non-essential government employees have been sent home and 332 hurricane shelters are opening. The sale of alcohol on the island

HURRICANE LENNY INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 12A
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
8 AM AST TUE NOV 16 1999

...LENNY CONTINUING EASTWARD INTO THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. AND BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTH COAST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FROM CABO BEATA TO CABO ENGANO. A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTH COASTS OF HAITI AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

HURRICANE WATCHES OR WARNINGS MAY BE

Lenny now a Category 3 Hurricane Threatens the Northeastern Caribbean

CDERA Member States in the northeastern sub-region are this afternoon bracing for the impact of Hurricane Lenny which has now attained Category Three status on the Safir/Simpson scale.

At 5:00pm this afternoon Lenny reached maximum sustained winds of 115 mph becoming the fifth major hurricane of the season. It continues to head for the islands in the northeastern Caribbean. In addition to the BVI, hurricane warnings have now been issued for St.