This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-latin-america-14641567
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 18 | Version 19 |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Irene hammers Bahamas islands | Hurricane Irene hammers Bahamas islands |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hurricane Irene has destroyed about 100 homes in the Bahamas as it roars over the archipelago. | Hurricane Irene has destroyed about 100 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. |
| Officials said 90% of homes were destroyed in some areas of the remote Acklins and Crooked Islands. | Officials said 90% of homes were destroyed in some areas of the remote Acklins and Crooked Islands. |
| The huge storm has brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean. | The huge storm has brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean. |
| On the island of Mayaguana, where roughly 250 people live, about 40 homes were damaged, AP reported. | On the island of Mayaguana, where roughly 250 people live, about 40 homes were damaged, AP reported. |
| There are also reports of extensive damage on Cat Island, Long Island and Eleuthera, but authorities there have not been able to complete full assessments as conditions were still dangerous. | There are also reports of extensive damage on Cat Island, Long Island and Eleuthera, but authorities there have not been able to complete full assessments as conditions were still dangerous. |
| Irene was swirling about 530 miles (855km) south-west of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, according to the US National Hurricane Center, based in Miami. | Irene was swirling about 530 miles (855km) south-west of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, according to the US National Hurricane Center, based in Miami. |
| By 20:00 local time (00:00 GMT) the eye of the storm was gradually moving away from Abaco Island, in the north-west Bahamas, forecasters said. | By 20:00 local time (00:00 GMT) the eye of the storm was gradually moving away from 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. | 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, where US President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency, on Saturday. | The hurricane is forecast to approach the coast of North Carolina, where US President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency, on Saturday. |
| 'Stay safe' | 'Stay safe' |
| Lovely Bay on Acklins Island in the southern Bahamas was badly hit, said the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema). | Lovely Bay on Acklins Island in the southern Bahamas was badly hit, said the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema). |
| 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. |