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/news/world-latin-america-20091117

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hurricane Sandy: Bahamas prepare for deadly storm Hurricane Sandy: Florida coastline under storm warning
(about 2 hours later)
The Bahamas have been preparing for the arrival of hurricane Sandy, which has left at least two people dead as it swept through Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba. Hurricane Sandy has swept north over the Bahamas towards the US, having killed at least two people as it tore through Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba.
Schools, offices, airports and bridges closed across the islands on Wednesday as residents stocked up on supplies. Schools, offices, airports and bridges had closed across the Bahamas as residents stocked up on supplies.
As of 1700 EDT (2100 GMT) Florida was under a tropical storm warning. Forecasters warn the storm could pose a major threat to the US East Coast.
With maximum sustained winds of 165km/h (105mph) Sandy was moving north at 20mph over Cat Island, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).With maximum sustained winds of 165km/h (105mph) Sandy was moving north at 20mph over Cat Island, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Earlier, it had caused a storm surge leading to severe flooding along Cuba's south-eastern coastline. Florida was already being lashed by heavy rain and high winds late on Thursday - as of 1700 EDT (2100 GMT), the state was under a tropical storm warning.
Some US broadcasters are already referring to Sandy as The Halloween Hurricane - or even Frankenstorm - as it is expected to bring coastal flooding and power outages around All Hallow's Eve - on 31 October.
The storm is expected to head north-west at a slower pace overnight into Friday, getting gradually larger all the while.
It is forecast to weaken, but remain a hurricane during the next 48 hours, said the NHC.
Guantanamo battered
On Wednesday, Sandy had caused a storm surge leading to severe flooding along Cuba's south-eastern coastline.
In the popular tourist destination of Santiago de Cuba, the island's second-largest city, tv footage showed fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris-choked streets.In the popular tourist destination of Santiago de Cuba, the island's second-largest city, tv footage showed fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris-choked streets.
More than 50,000 people had been moved from their homes in the city as a precaution.More than 50,000 people had been moved from their homes in the city as a precaution.
Strong winds and rain also battered the US naval base and detention facility at Cuba's Guantanamo Bay, confining some workers to their quarters and prompting a number of prisoners to be moved to safer accommodation.Strong winds and rain also battered the US naval base and detention facility at Cuba's Guantanamo Bay, confining some workers to their quarters and prompting a number of prisoners to be moved to safer accommodation.
Sandy was expected to head north-west and move slower throughout Thursday night and into Friday, getting gradually larger as its eye moved through the central Bahamas overnight.
It was forecast to weaken, but remain a hurricane during the next 48 hours, said the NHC.
In Jamaica earlier, more than 1,000 people sought refuge in shelters as Sandy caused widespread power outages, flooded streets and damaged buildings.In Jamaica earlier, more than 1,000 people sought refuge in shelters as Sandy caused widespread power outages, flooded streets and damaged buildings.
A 48-hour curfew was imposed in the island's major towns to deter the looting that had accompanied previous storms.A 48-hour curfew was imposed in the island's major towns to deter the looting that had accompanied previous storms.
Sandy has left devastation in its wake as it moved north, killing an elderly man in Jamaica when a boulder fell on a house and reportedly resulting in the drowning of a woman trying to cross a swollen river in Haiti.Sandy has left devastation in its wake as it moved north, killing an elderly man in Jamaica when a boulder fell on a house and reportedly resulting in the drowning of a woman trying to cross a swollen river in Haiti.
Are you in the path of Hurricane Sandy or have you already been affected by it? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the path of Hurricane Sandy or have you already been affected by it? You can send us your experiences 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 conditionsRead the terms and conditions