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7.9 Earthquake Rattles Peru; Kills At Least 17

LIMA (AP) -- A powerful earthquake shook Peru's coast near the capital on Wednesday, reportedly killing at least 17 people as it toppled buildings and caused many residents to flee homes. Authorities said the quake had generated a small tsunami but it wasn't destructive.

Peru's highly respected Cable news station Canal N reported that the 7.9 magnitude quake had caused a church to collapse in the city of Ica south of Lima, killing 17 people and injuring 70.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake hit at 6:40 p.m. (7:40 p.m. EDT) about 90 miles southeast of Lima at a depth of about 25 miles. Four strong aftershocks ranging from magnitudes of 5.4 to 5.9 were felt afterwards.

Tropical Storm Dean Gets Stronger; Could Become Hurricane By Weekend

MIAMI (Local 10) -- The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Dean is continuing to intensify over the central tropical Atlantic.

At 5 p.m., the center of the tropical storm was located 2,343 miles east-southeast of Miami and moving west at 22 mph with winds at 65 mph with higher gusts. It is about 910 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.

"The National Hurricane Center does have it turning into a Category 1 hurricane sometime late Thursday or early Friday and transitioning sometime during the weekend into perhaps a Category 2 and 3," Local 10 meteorologist Megan Glaros said.

A hurricane watch may be required for portions of the Lesser Antilles later Wednesday or early Thursday.

"Right now, the storm will strengthen in the days to come. If it behaves, we'll have nothing to worry about," said Local 10 meteorologist Trent Aric.

Dean was moving over increasingly warmer waters, where atmospheric conditions could create a favorable environment for intensification into a hurricane, forecasters said. Forecasters maintain that it is too early to tell where Dean will go.