The UK Foreign Office has warned travellers of heavy rainfall and flash flooding as Tropical Storm Philippe bears down on the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda.

The storm made landfall in Barbuda in the northeast Caribbean last night, and schools on both islands are closed on Tuesday (October 3).

The FCDO advisory urged travellers to monitor local and international weather updates from the Antigua & Barbuda Met Office and the US National Hurricane Centre and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.

Antigua & Barbuda Met Office has said residents should implement hurricane disaster plans, with winds expected at 50mph, with higher gusts, and up to five inches of rain in 12-24 hours.

Reports say the islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe, to the south of Antigua and Barbuda, are also affected by heavy rainfall and high winds from Tropical Storm Philippe.