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Haiti facing storm 'catastrophe' Haiti facing storm 'catastrophe'
(10 minutes later)
Haiti faces a "catastrophe" after being hit by a series of storms in recent weeks, President Rene Preval has said.Haiti faces a "catastrophe" after being hit by a series of storms in recent weeks, President Rene Preval has said.
Three storms in less than 21 days have killed 170 people and forced thousands to flee their homes in the Caribbean nation, officials say.Three storms in less than 21 days have killed 170 people and forced thousands to flee their homes in the Caribbean nation, officials say.
The latest, Tropical Storm Hanna, could be even more deadly than the one that killed more than 3,000 people in 2004, Mr Preval warned.The latest, Tropical Storm Hanna, could be even more deadly than the one that killed more than 3,000 people in 2004, Mr Preval warned.
Hanna is now approaching the Bahamas, where storm warnings have been issued.Hanna is now approaching the Bahamas, where storm warnings have been issued.
At 0030 GMT on Thursday, Hanna was about 355 miles (575km) south-east of Nassau and moving north-west, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.At 0030 GMT on Thursday, Hanna was about 355 miles (575km) south-east of Nassau and moving north-west, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.
Separately, storm Ike has strengthened rapidly into an extremely powerful Category Four hurricane in the open Atlantic, the NHC says. See a map of Atlantic stormsSeparately, storm Ike has strengthened rapidly into an extremely powerful Category Four hurricane in the open Atlantic, the NHC says. See a map of Atlantic storms
However, it says it is too early to determine if Ike poses any threat to land.However, it says it is too early to determine if Ike poses any threat to land.
'No water, no food''No water, no food'
"It is believed that compared to Jeanne, Hanna could cause even more damage," Mr Preval said."It is believed that compared to Jeanne, Hanna could cause even more damage," Mr Preval said.
The Haitian leader was referring to the deadly Tropical Storm Jeanne which hit the country in 2004.The Haitian leader was referring to the deadly Tropical Storm Jeanne which hit the country in 2004.
Mr Preval said he would hold emergency talks with donor countries to appeal for aid.Mr Preval said he would hold emergency talks with donor countries to appeal for aid.
Eyewitness: Haiti's ordealsWarming boosts strongest stormsEyewitness: Haiti's ordealsWarming boosts strongest storms
Haitian officials say that Hanna has left at least 61 people dead when it struck on Tuesday, but there are fears that the death toll will rise further.Haitian officials say that Hanna has left at least 61 people dead when it struck on Tuesday, but there are fears that the death toll will rise further.
The northern city of Gonaives bore the brunt of Hanna's maximum sustained winds of 100km/h (65mph), with people on roof-tops screaming for help as floods reached depths of 2m (6.5ft).The northern city of Gonaives bore the brunt of Hanna's maximum sustained winds of 100km/h (65mph), with people on roof-tops screaming for help as floods reached depths of 2m (6.5ft).
"There are a lot of people who have been on top of the roofs of their homes over 24 hours now. They have no water, no food and we can't even help them," Haitian Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime told Reuters news agency."There are a lot of people who have been on top of the roofs of their homes over 24 hours now. They have no water, no food and we can't even help them," Haitian Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime told Reuters news agency.
UN peacekeepers and aid workers have been trying to reach stranded survivors.UN peacekeepers and aid workers have been trying to reach stranded survivors.
"The situation is as bad as it can be," the UN's Vadre Louis told the Associated Press news agency."The situation is as bad as it can be," the UN's Vadre Louis told the Associated Press news agency.
"The wind is ripping up trees. Houses are flooded with water. Cars can't drive on the street. You can't rescue anyone, wherever they may be.""The wind is ripping up trees. Houses are flooded with water. Cars can't drive on the street. You can't rescue anyone, wherever they may be."
The impoverished Caribbean island was first drenched by Tropical Storm Fay, before Hurricane Gustav wreaked havoc last week, with torrential rainfall over heavily deforested and hilly terrain causing floods and mudslides.The impoverished Caribbean island was first drenched by Tropical Storm Fay, before Hurricane Gustav wreaked havoc last week, with torrential rainfall over heavily deforested and hilly terrain causing floods and mudslides.
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