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| Powerful Hurricane Matthew threatens Haiti | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent years is expected to cause flooding and landslides when it passes by Jamaica and Haiti. | One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent years is expected to cause flooding and landslides when it passes by Jamaica and Haiti. |
| The fast-approaching Matthew, a Category Four storm, could bring up to 40 inches (102cm) of rain. | The fast-approaching Matthew, a Category Four storm, could bring up to 40 inches (102cm) of rain. |
| Heavy rain and winds have already hit parts of Jamaica, with floodwaters blocking roads in the capital Kingston. | Heavy rain and winds have already hit parts of Jamaica, with floodwaters blocking roads in the capital Kingston. |
| Haiti could be more seriously affected when the hurricane passes over the country's south-west. | |
| Haitian authorities have urged people to stock up on food and water and secure their homes. Thousands are still living in tents following a huge earthquake in 2010. | Haitian authorities have urged people to stock up on food and water and secure their homes. Thousands are still living in tents following a huge earthquake in 2010. |
| The mayor of Haiti's largest slum in the capital Port-au-Prince, Frederic Hislain, has urged the government to evacuate some 150,000 people whose homes are threatened. | The mayor of Haiti's largest slum in the capital Port-au-Prince, Frederic Hislain, has urged the government to evacuate some 150,000 people whose homes are threatened. |
| Matthew is later expected to reach eastern Cuba, where a hurricane alert is in place for six eastern provinces and residents are being moved from low-lying areas. | Matthew is later expected to reach eastern Cuba, where a hurricane alert is in place for six eastern provinces and residents are being moved from low-lying areas. |
| Animated guide: Hurricanes | Animated guide: Hurricanes |
| As it is moving slowly north over the Caribbean, the storm's maximum sustained winds are reaching 140mph (220km/h), the US National Hurricane Center (USNHC) said. | |
| Its centre is expected to pass to the east of Jamaica and make landfall on the south-western tip of Haiti before reaching eastern Cuba, the USNHC said. | |
| Southern areas of Haiti including Jeremie and Les Cayes are expected to see the worst of the heavy rain and treacherous winds. | Southern areas of Haiti including Jeremie and Les Cayes are expected to see the worst of the heavy rain and treacherous winds. |
| "Wherever that centre passes close to would see the worst winds and that's what's projected to happen for the western tip of Haiti," US hurricane specialist John Cangilosi said. | "Wherever that centre passes close to would see the worst winds and that's what's projected to happen for the western tip of Haiti," US hurricane specialist John Cangilosi said. |
| "There is a big concern for rains there and also a big concern for [a] storm surge." | "There is a big concern for rains there and also a big concern for [a] storm surge." |
| The storm is expected to pass east of Florida through the Bahamas, although it is too soon to say whether it will hit the US coast. | The storm is expected to pass east of Florida through the Bahamas, although it is too soon to say whether it will hit the US coast. |
| Haitian officials say that about 1,300 emergency shelters have been built, enough to accommodate 340,000 people. Both airports in Haiti are closed. | Haitian officials say that about 1,300 emergency shelters have been built, enough to accommodate 340,000 people. Both airports in Haiti are closed. |
| Interim President Jocelerme Privert on Sunday advised Haitians to be prepared to move quickly. | Interim President Jocelerme Privert on Sunday advised Haitians to be prepared to move quickly. |
| "To those people living in houses that could collapse, it's necessary that you leave these houses to take refuge in schools and churches," he said in a radio address. | "To those people living in houses that could collapse, it's necessary that you leave these houses to take refuge in schools and churches," he said in a radio address. |
| About 13,000 people were evacuated from high-risk areas in neighbouring Dominican Republic, which is also expected to get battered by rains and winds, according to the country's civil defence chief. | About 13,000 people were evacuated from high-risk areas in neighbouring Dominican Republic, which is also expected to get battered by rains and winds, according to the country's civil defence chief. |
| In Jamaica, emergency services rushed to protect buildings. Long queues formed outside stores and at petrol stations as people stocked up. | In Jamaica, emergency services rushed to protect buildings. Long queues formed outside stores and at petrol stations as people stocked up. |
| Matthew is expected to hit Cuba on Tuesday, potentially reaching the colonial city of Santiago de Cuba and the US Navy base of Guantanamo Bay. | Matthew is expected to hit Cuba on Tuesday, potentially reaching the colonial city of Santiago de Cuba and the US Navy base of Guantanamo Bay. |
| Hurricane scales | |
| Category one: sustained winds of 74-95mph (119-153 km/h); some damage and power cuts | |
| Category two: winds of 96-110mph (154-177 km/h); extensive damage | |
| Category three: winds of 111-129mph (178-208 km/h); well-built homes suffer major damage | |
| Category four: winds of 130-156mph (209-251 km/h); severe damage to well-built homes, most trees snapped or uprooted | |
| Category five: winds of 157 mph (252 km/h) or higher; high percentage of homes destroyed, area uninhabitable for weeks or months | |
| Source: NOAA | |
| Have you been affected by Hurricane Matthew? Only if it safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been affected by Hurricane Matthew? Only if it safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. Please stay safe. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. Please stay safe. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |