Heavy rains are battering Haiti in what could be the worst storm to hit the island since the January earthquake. Forecasters say Tropical Storm Tomas has gained hurricane strength and will pass through western Haiti sometime today. There are fears the rains could trigger massive flooding, potentially spreading a cholera outbreak that has already killed more than 440 people. The Haitian government has ordered the voluntary evacuation of camps for earthquake survivors in low-lying areas, but many have nowhere to go. On Thursday, Bill Read of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the storm could maintain hurricane strength before making landfall.

Bill Read: “The next 36 hours are the primary threat to the area there. We’re forecasting winds to tropical storm force, possibly reaching hurricane force if Tomas intensifies as it goes through there, but the predominant threat is the heavy rain.”