This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34436669

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hurricane Joaquin: Obama declares emergency in South Carolina Hurricane Joaquin: Obama declares emergency in South Carolina
(about 4 hours later)
US President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in South Carolina, as heavy rainfall is set to lead to more flooding over the weekend in many parts of the east coast.US President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in South Carolina, as heavy rainfall is set to lead to more flooding over the weekend in many parts of the east coast.
It has been raining for much of the week, but a weather system connected to Hurricane Joaquin in the Caribbean is expected to make the situation worse.It has been raining for much of the week, but a weather system connected to Hurricane Joaquin in the Caribbean is expected to make the situation worse.
It is regaining strength and has been reclassified as a category 4 storm.It is regaining strength and has been reclassified as a category 4 storm.
Joaquin, currently off the Bahamas, has winds of up to 155mph (250 km/h).Joaquin, currently off the Bahamas, has winds of up to 155mph (250 km/h).
The storm is not expected to hit the eastern US, but the moisture associated with it is contributing to heavy rainfall, particularly in South Carolina.The storm is not expected to hit the eastern US, but the moisture associated with it is contributing to heavy rainfall, particularly in South Carolina.
The US National Weather Service says parts of the state could see over 15 inches (380mm) of rain by Sunday evening.The US National Weather Service says parts of the state could see over 15 inches (380mm) of rain by Sunday evening.
In the historic city centre of Charleston, many streets have been closed and sandbags have been piled up to keep floodwaters out.In the historic city centre of Charleston, many streets have been closed and sandbags have been piled up to keep floodwaters out.
"Where we normally are dealing with flooding for a few hours, we're dealing with it in days here,'' Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen told the Associated Press news agency."Where we normally are dealing with flooding for a few hours, we're dealing with it in days here,'' Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen told the Associated Press news agency.
The emergency declared by President Obama means state and local authorities can receive federal help to deal with the flooding.The emergency declared by President Obama means state and local authorities can receive federal help to deal with the flooding.
Off the Bahamas, Hurricane Joaquin overcame a cargo ship, named the El Faro. Rescue teams are searching for the vessel and its 33 crew after it vanished on Thursday morning. On Thursday a cargo ship, named the El Faro, went missing after sailing through Hurricane Joaquin off the Bahamas.
Rescue teams searching for the vessel and its 33 crew said on Saturday they had found a life belt believed to belong to the ship.