This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7602155.stm

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Caribbean lashed by Hurricane Ike Caribbean lashed by Hurricane Ike
(about 2 hours later)
Hurricane Ike has reached Caribbean islands, bringing winds of 135mph (215km/h), just days after Tropical Storm Hanna caused havoc in the region. The Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos are being hammered by Hurricane Ike, the fourth major storm to sweep the region in the past three weeks.
The eye of the storm is "near or over" the Turks and Caicos islands, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says. Ike, a ferocious Category Four storm, barreled over the archipelago with winds of up to 135mph (215km/h).
Ike could dump 12 inches (30cm) of rain in places and cause storm surge flooding of up to 18ft (5.5m) above normal tide levels, the NHC warns. Forcecasters say it could dump up to 12 inches (30cm) of rain as it powers towards Cuba and the Bahamas, passing just north of Haiti, over the next day.
The hurricane is expected to reach the south-eastern Bahamas later on Sunday. Haiti is still reeling from earlier storms, which left at least 600 dead.
After weakening on Saturday, Ike regained strength as it approached the islands, and the NHC now describes it as an "extremely dangerous" Category Four hurricane. While it will escape Ike's monstrous winds, Haiti's north-west coast is bracing for a fresh deluge, threatening the already battered country with worse devastation.
Haiti risk The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of "life-threatening flash floods and mudslides over mountainous terrain".
Thousands of tourists and residents have left the islands and the airport in Providenciales, the most populated of the island chains, has closed. The UN children's charity Unicef says some 650,000 Haitians have been affected by flooding caused by Hurricane Hanna last week, while more bad weather will further hamper the aid effort there.
Power out
As Ike roared towards the Turks and Caicos, thousands of tourists and residents left the normally tranquil islands and the airport in Providenciales, the most populated of the island chains, has closed.
SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE Cat 1: Winds 74-95mph (119-153km/h). No real damage to buildings Cat 2: Winds 96-110mph (154-177km/h). Storm surge 6-8 feet (1.8-2.8 metres) above normal Cat 3: Winds 111-130mph (178-209km/h). Major hurricane. Coastal flooding destroys smaller structures Cat 4: Winds 131-155mph (210-249km/h). Large storm surge and widespread damage to smaller buildingsCat 5: Winds greater than 155mph (249km/h). Small buildings blown away, roofs on large buildings destroyed. All trees and signs knocked down. Widespread coastal flooding. Source: US National Hurricane Center Guide: How hurricanes formWarming boosts strongest stormsIn pictures: Haiti reliefSAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE Cat 1: Winds 74-95mph (119-153km/h). No real damage to buildings Cat 2: Winds 96-110mph (154-177km/h). Storm surge 6-8 feet (1.8-2.8 metres) above normal Cat 3: Winds 111-130mph (178-209km/h). Major hurricane. Coastal flooding destroys smaller structures Cat 4: Winds 131-155mph (210-249km/h). Large storm surge and widespread damage to smaller buildingsCat 5: Winds greater than 155mph (249km/h). Small buildings blown away, roofs on large buildings destroyed. All trees and signs knocked down. Widespread coastal flooding. Source: US National Hurricane Center Guide: How hurricanes formWarming boosts strongest stormsIn pictures: Haiti relief
The centre of the hurricane is forecast to pass to the north of Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. "We're all just laying down looking up at the dark ceiling and talking," tourism official Desiree Adams told the Associated Press news agency from the capital, Grand Turk, where the storm had knocked out power.
But Haiti, where more than 600 people were killed in three major storms in as many weeks, will not be spared, with up to 12in of rain due to fall. The low-lying area, home to 3,000 people, has little natural protection from the sea and faces storm surge flooding of up to 18 feet (5.5 metres) above normal tides.
In the Dominican Republic, preparations are under way for Ike's arrival. In the nearby Bahamas, tourists have been urged to leave the south-eastern islands, while the Royal Bahamas Defence Force is bringing food and water to the eastern islands of Mayaguana and San Salvador.
"The ground is saturated and some of the dams in the south-east region are fairly close to their maximum capacity," said meteorological official Gloria Ceballos. Heading south-west at about 15mph, Ike should hit the northern coast of eastern Cuba by late Sunday or early Monday, according to the NHC.
Civil defence director Colonel Juan Manuel Mendez said Dominican troops had been put on alert. Forcecasters say it could strengthen on its way, threatening to devastate the island's sugar cane fields.
Heading west south-west at about 15mph, Ike should hit the northern coast of eastern Cuba by late Sunday or early Monday, according to the NHC forecast.
If it stays on its projected course, Ike will cut across the island from east to west, putting the crumbling colonial buildings of the capital, Havana, at risk.If it stays on its projected course, Ike will cut across the island from east to west, putting the crumbling colonial buildings of the capital, Havana, at risk.
Cuba has issued a hurricane watch for its eastern provinces.Cuba has issued a hurricane watch for its eastern provinces.
Supplies scarceSupplies scarce
The devastation in Haiti has been described as catastrophic. The destruction in Haiti has been described as catastrophic.
Police said 500 people were confirmed dead but that others are still missing and the number could rise. Police said 500 people were confirmed dead from recent Tropical Storm Hanna but that others are still missing and the number could rise.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Bahamas prepares for Hurricane IkeBahamas prepares for Hurricane Ike
The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said hundreds of thousands of people had been displaced by the flooding.The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said hundreds of thousands of people had been displaced by the flooding.
The WFP has begun distributing food aid but a spokesperson said the scale of the disaster was putting their resources to the test.The WFP has begun distributing food aid but a spokesperson said the scale of the disaster was putting their resources to the test.
Other aid workers say people's spirits are running low after the successive storms.Other aid workers say people's spirits are running low after the successive storms.
"Food supplies and water are scarce and the price of the food that's left is rising," said Parnell Denis from Oxfam in Gonaives, the port city hardest hit by recent tropical Storm Hanna. "Food supplies and water are scarce and the price of the food that's left is rising," said Parnell Denis from Oxfam in Gonaives, the port city hardest hit by Hanna.
"The morale of people staying in the shelters is so very low; I am afraid to tell them that another storm is on its way.""The morale of people staying in the shelters is so very low; I am afraid to tell them that another storm is on its way."
More bad weather will hamper the aid effort even further.
Up to 16ft of floodwater in Gonaives has only now begun to recede.Up to 16ft of floodwater in Gonaives has only now begun to recede.
Hanna struck in the wake of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Fay two weeks ago, which left about 120 people dead in Haiti.Hanna struck in the wake of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Fay two weeks ago, which left about 120 people dead in Haiti.
Are you in the Caribbean? Have you been affected by the storms? What preparations have you made to deal with the adverse weather? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in the Caribbean? Have you been affected by the storms? What preparations have you made to deal with the adverse weather? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
 Name