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Thousands evacuated as two storms head for southern US Deadly storms Marco and Laura plough through Caribbean killing 12
(about 5 hours later)
Thousands of people have been evacuated from parts of the Caribbean and southern US as two storms tore through the region on Sunday. At least 12 people have been killed as two storms tore through the Caribbean on Sunday.
Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura have brought high winds and rough seas, causing damage to areas of Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura brought high winds and rough seas leaving at least nine people dead in Haiti and another three in the Dominican Republic.
Heavy rains have also battered the US territory of Puerto Rico. Heavy rains have also battered Cuba and the US territory of Puerto Rico.
Marco is expected to make landfall in the US state of Louisiana on Monday, with Laura hitting Texas by Thursday.Marco is expected to make landfall in the US state of Louisiana on Monday, with Laura hitting Texas by Thursday.
But forecasters say that Laura may swing east towards Louisiana, and it could be the first time in recorded history that the state has been hit by two back-to-back hurricanes. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Laura was expected to strengthen into a hurricane by early Tuesday.
In response to the storms, US President Donald Trump has issued a disaster declaration for Louisiana, ordering federal assistance to coordinate relief efforts. On Saturday, a similar declaration was made for Puerto Rico. Forecasters also say that Laura may swing east towards Louisiana, and it could be the first time in recorded history that the state has been hit by two back-to-back hurricanes.
A least three people have been killed in the Dominican Republic as Laura swept through the country, leaving more than a million people without electricity. Among those killed was a seven-year-old boy who died with his mother after a wall collapsed in their home. The third person died after a tree collapsed on a house.
The positions for Marco and Laura are at 0300 GMT Monday. Source: National Hurricane CentreThe positions for Marco and Laura are at 0300 GMT Monday. Source: National Hurricane Centre
Five other deaths have been reported in Haiti, including that of a 10-year-old girl. The capital Port-au-Prince, is also experiencing severe flooding. What's known about the victims?
Nine people were killed in Haiti. Two more, a mother and her child, are missing after being swept away by flood waters, according to Civil Protection Director Jerry Chandler.
Local media say the missing woman works as a paediatrician at a hospital in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Among those killed is a 10-year-old girl who was hit by a falling branch in Anse-à-Pitres, on Haiti's southern coast near the border with the Dominican Republic.
A woman died in floodwaters in Jacmel, also on the southern coast, while a man and two more women died in and around Port-au-Prince.
Footage shared on social media showed Haitians trying to get to safety as the flood waters were rising quickly.
No details of the other Haitian victims have so far been released.
Haitian President Jovenel Moïse expressed his condolences to the families of the bereaved on Twitter.
In neighbouring Dominican Republic, a 37-year-old woman and her nine-year-old son died when a wall in their home west of the capital, Santo Domingo, collapsed during heavy rains.
A 22-year-old man died when his home collapsed under the weight of a falling tree.
In total, 200 homes were damaged in the Dominican Republic and 1,000 people had to be evacuated.
Meanwhile in Cuba, many residents in the country's eastern regions have been evacuated and housed in shelters or safer buildings on higher ground.Meanwhile in Cuba, many residents in the country's eastern regions have been evacuated and housed in shelters or safer buildings on higher ground.
Where are the storms headed?
Marco strengthened to a hurricane on Sunday, with sustained winds of up to 75mph (120km/h), and is moving north between Cuba and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.Marco strengthened to a hurricane on Sunday, with sustained winds of up to 75mph (120km/h), and is moving north between Cuba and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Laura is also predicted to become a hurricane on Wednesday, with its course heading northwest towards Houston, America's fourth-largest city. Laura is predicted to head northwest towards Houston, America's fourth-largest city.
The US National Hurricane Centre has warned that back-to-back hurricanes arriving in the US within days of one another could result in prolonged periods of hazardous weather.The US National Hurricane Centre has warned that back-to-back hurricanes arriving in the US within days of one another could result in prolonged periods of hazardous weather.
The US Coast Guard has also issued a warning for the Port of New Orleans, and called on ships to make plans to evacuate some areas. The US Coast Guard has issued a warning for the Port of New Orleans, and called on ships to make plans to evacuate some areas.
US President Donald Trump has issued a disaster declaration for Louisiana, ordering federal assistance to coordinate relief efforts. On Saturday, a similar declaration was made for Puerto Rico.
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