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Hurricane Irene hammers Bahamas islands | Hurricane Irene hammers Bahamas islands |
(40 minutes later) | |
Hurricane Irene has destroyed dozens of homes in the Bahamas as it roars over the archipelago. | |
Irene is currently a category three storm, with winds of 185km/h (115mph), and is expected to strengthen as it heads toward the US east coast. | Irene is currently a category three storm, with winds of 185km/h (115mph), and is expected to strengthen as it heads toward the US east coast. |
Lovely Bay settlement on the remote Acklins Island was devastated, Bahamas officials said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. | Lovely Bay settlement on the remote Acklins Island was devastated, Bahamas officials said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. |
The huge storm has brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean. | The huge storm has brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean. |
At 15:00 GMT on Thursday, Irene was located 115km (75 miles) north north-east of the Bahamas capital, Nassau, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said. | |
The storm was approaching Abaco Island in the north-west Bahamas, forecasters said. | |
Irene's projected path is expected to take it well offshore of the east coast of central and northern Florida later on Thursday and early Friday, according to the NHC. | |
The hurricane is forecast to approach the coast of North Carolina on Saturday. | |
'Stay safe' | 'Stay safe' |
Lovely Bay on Acklins Island in the southern Bahamas was badly hit, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said. | Lovely Bay on Acklins Island in the southern Bahamas was badly hit, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said. |
On its website, The Tribune newspaper said homes had "been completely washed away or have lost entire roofs, power lines have been downed and trees are blocking roads". | On its website, The Tribune newspaper said homes had "been completely washed away or have lost entire roofs, power lines have been downed and trees are blocking roads". |
Crooked Island saw wind gusts of more than 160km/h, with a school's roof "completely blown off and its windows blow out", NEMA reported. | Crooked Island saw wind gusts of more than 160km/h, with a school's roof "completely blown off and its windows blow out", NEMA reported. |
On Mayaguana Island, Irene knocked out power, and damaged at least 40 houses. | On Mayaguana Island, Irene knocked out power, and damaged at least 40 houses. |
Officials are urging people throughout the Bahamas to stay indoors in a safe and secure structure. | Officials are urging people throughout the Bahamas to stay indoors in a safe and secure structure. |
Nassau, on the most populated island of New Providence, was expected to see some flooding. | Nassau, on the most populated island of New Providence, was expected to see some flooding. |
So far, there have been no reports of casualties. | So far, there have been no reports of casualties. |
"As a general statement, we do a fair job of managing hurricanes so personal injuries, we hope, will not be substantial," Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told the Associated Press (AP) news agency. | "As a general statement, we do a fair job of managing hurricanes so personal injuries, we hope, will not be substantial," Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told the Associated Press (AP) news agency. |
Emergency help | Emergency help |
On Tuesday, Irene pelted the UK overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands with high winds and heavy rain. | On Tuesday, Irene pelted the UK overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands with high winds and heavy rain. |
Hundreds of people in the Dominican Republic took refuge in schools and churches after they were displaced by storm flooding. One man was reported to have died in flooding. | Hundreds of people in the Dominican Republic took refuge in schools and churches after they were displaced by storm flooding. One man was reported to have died in flooding. |
Irene also brought flooding to neighbouring Haiti, where at least two people were reported to have died. | Irene also brought flooding to neighbouring Haiti, where at least two people were reported to have died. |
In Puerto Rico, the storm knocked out power to more than half the island and affected the water supplies of more than 100,000 people. | In Puerto Rico, the storm knocked out power to more than half the island and affected the water supplies of more than 100,000 people. |
A 62-year-old woman died while attempting to drive over a swollen river near the capital, San Juan, AP reported. | A 62-year-old woman died while attempting to drive over a swollen river near the capital, San Juan, AP reported. |
And on Tuesday, more than 80 families in the town of Canovanas lost their homes when a river rose suddenly in heavy rain, El Nuevo Dia newspaper said. | And on Tuesday, more than 80 families in the town of Canovanas lost their homes when a river rose suddenly in heavy rain, El Nuevo Dia newspaper said. |
US President Barack Obama declared an emergency, making the island, a US protectorate, eligible for federal help. | US President Barack Obama declared an emergency, making the island, a US protectorate, eligible for federal help. |
Are you in the path of Hurricane Irene? How are you preparing for the storm? You can get in touch using the form below: | Are you in the path of Hurricane Irene? How are you preparing for the storm? You can get in touch using the form below: |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |