Tropical storm Erika broke up as it raked across Cuba on Saturday, drenching the drought-parched island in heavy rain after killing at least 20 people on the Caribbean island of Dominica.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center later called off all coastal watches and warnings and said the storm had "dissipated" -- a relief for a dozen Caribbean island nations stalked in recent days by Erika.

Tropical Storm Erika left at least 12 people dead in its wake when it swept over the island of Dominica on Friday then rolled on to pummel the Dominican Republic.

While crews rushed to search for survivors and clean up scenes of chaos on Caribbean islands, the U.S. state of Florida declared a state of emergency.