With maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hours, Tomas at 1500 GMT was "bearing down on St. Lucia and St. Vincent," about 60 kilometers (37 miles) to the east of its center, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.

Earlier Saturday, Tomas slammed into Barbados causing "damage to homes and downed power lines... on the island," the NHC said.

"Tomas is a now category one hurricane... Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours," it added.

The storm is expected to pass near St. Lucia and St. Vincent later Saturday "and enter the eastern Caribbean Sea by tonight," the NHC said.

earlier related report
Hurricane Shary forms in Atlantic
Miami (AFP) Oct 30, 2010 - Tropical Storm Shary was upgraded to a hurricane on Saturday and pummeled Barbados in the Atlantic Ocean, the US National Hurricane Center said.

The storm, packing sustained winds of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour, was intensifying as it moved over the central Atlantic, the Miami-based weather service said.

With its center located 525 kilometers (325 miles) northeast of Bermuda, Shary does not represent a threat to coastlines.

"Weakening is expected to commence later today with Shary likely losing tropical characteristics... until the system dissipates by late tomorrow," the NHC added.

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