Hurricane Lenny Moving in Unusual West To East Direction...11/17/99

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CNN)-- Residents in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are making last-minute preparations as the outer bands from Hurricane Lenny dump heavy rains on the region.

At 4 a.m. EST, Lenny was about 120 miles (195 km) south of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The storm is moving towards the east-northeast at 14 mph (23 km/h) and is expected to reach the islands by midmorning on Wednesday. The Category three hurricane, with its 125 mph (205 km/h) winds, formed late in the season and is traveling on an unusual west-to-east course. Those factors surprised forecasters. "It's unheard of," said veteran meteorologist John Tewey on San Juan's WOSO-AM radio, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event."

Officials warn Lenny could dump up to 15 inches of rain in some areas, creating a risk of flooding and landslides. Residents aren't taking chances The surprise storm sent people rushing to hardware stores, gas stations and grocery stores throughout the islands in its path.