Oct. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Tropical Storm Noel, which brought deadly rains to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, lashed central Cuba and may strengthen as it moves over water on a course toward the Bahamas, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Noel had sustained winds of about 65 kilometers (40 miles) an hour and was located about 85 kilometers north-northwest of Camaguey, the center said in an advisory posted on its Web site shortly after 4:30 a.m. Miami time. The system was heading north- northwest at 11 kph and forecast to turn gradually north.

"This motion should bring the center of Noel off the northern coast of Cuba today and near the northwestern Bahamas tonight,'' the agency's forecasters said. "Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours after the center emerges over water.'' They advised residents of southern Florida to monitor the storm's progress.