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Tropical Storm Erika kills at least 20 in Dominica | Tropical Storm Erika kills at least 20 in Dominica |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A tropical storm heading across the Caribbean has killed at least 20 people on the island of Dominica, with dozens more missing. | A tropical storm heading across the Caribbean has killed at least 20 people on the island of Dominica, with dozens more missing. |
Tropical Storm Erika hit Dominica, in the eastern Caribbean, causing floods and mudslides that have set the country back 20 years, its prime minister said. | Tropical Storm Erika hit Dominica, in the eastern Caribbean, causing floods and mudslides that have set the country back 20 years, its prime minister said. |
Haiti and the Dominican Republic are now expecting 53mph (85km/h) winds. | Haiti and the Dominican Republic are now expecting 53mph (85km/h) winds. |
A state of emergency has been declared in the US state of Florida, where the storm is expected on Sunday. | A state of emergency has been declared in the US state of Florida, where the storm is expected on Sunday. |
Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a televised address late on Friday that hundreds of homes, bridges and roads had been destroyed. | Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a televised address late on Friday that hundreds of homes, bridges and roads had been destroyed. |
He said: "It is with heavy heart that I address you, you can well imagine the hell that it has been for me since I heard of the passing of Tropical Storm Erika and the damage it has done to our dear people and beloved country. But we all have to pull ourselves together. | He said: "It is with heavy heart that I address you, you can well imagine the hell that it has been for me since I heard of the passing of Tropical Storm Erika and the damage it has done to our dear people and beloved country. But we all have to pull ourselves together. |
"The extent of the devastation is monumental. We have, in essence, to rebuild Dominica." | "The extent of the devastation is monumental. We have, in essence, to rebuild Dominica." |
Erika dumped 38cm (15in) of rain. | Erika dumped 38cm (15in) of rain. |
At least 31 people on the island of 72,000 people have been reported missing, according to officials with the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency. | At least 31 people on the island of 72,000 people have been reported missing, according to officials with the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency. |
Among the houses lost in the mudslides was that of 46-year-old security guard Peter Julian, who had joined friends after leaving work. | Among the houses lost in the mudslides was that of 46-year-old security guard Peter Julian, who had joined friends after leaving work. |
"When I returned, I saw that my house that I have lived in for over 20 years was gone,'' he told Associated Press. | "When I returned, I saw that my house that I have lived in for over 20 years was gone,'' he told Associated Press. |
"I have lost everything and now have to start all over again." | |
Other Caribbean nations have issued tropical storm warnings. | Other Caribbean nations have issued tropical storm warnings. |
In Puerto Rico, Erika knocked out power to more than 200,000 people and caused more than $16m (£10m) of damage to crops including plantain, bananas and coffee, AP reported. | In Puerto Rico, Erika knocked out power to more than 200,000 people and caused more than $16m (£10m) of damage to crops including plantain, bananas and coffee, AP reported. |
The US National Hurricane Centre said the system was expected to move north across the island of Hispaniola - shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic - where the high mountains would weaken it to a tropical depression on Saturday. | The US National Hurricane Centre said the system was expected to move north across the island of Hispaniola - shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic - where the high mountains would weaken it to a tropical depression on Saturday. |
Meanwhile, Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency as a precaution with officials urging people to prepare by stockpiling food and water and fuelling their vehicles. | Meanwhile, Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency as a precaution with officials urging people to prepare by stockpiling food and water and fuelling their vehicles. |
Separately, in the Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Ignacio strengthened into a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90mph, centred south-east of Hilo in Hawaii, and moving north-west. | Separately, in the Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Ignacio strengthened into a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90mph, centred south-east of Hilo in Hawaii, and moving north-west. |