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Caribbean storm death toll rises Caribbean storm death toll rises
(about 4 hours later)
More than 80 people have died in floods and mudslides sparked by tropical storm Noel in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, officials say. At least 90 people have died in floods and mudslides sparked by Tropical Storm Noel in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, officials say.
The Dominican authorities say dozens of people are missing and more than 25,000 have been left homeless. The Dominican Republic authorities say dozens are missing and at least 58,300 have had to flee their homes.
Forecasters have warned of hurricane strength winds in the Bahamas as the storm heads towards the archipelago.Forecasters have warned of hurricane strength winds in the Bahamas as the storm heads towards the archipelago.
And the US National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning for Florida's south-east coast.And the US National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning for Florida's south-east coast.
Meanwhile with rain still falling on Hispaniola - the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti - rescuers have been struggling to reach communities cut off by the flooding.Meanwhile with rain still falling on Hispaniola - the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti - rescuers have been struggling to reach communities cut off by the flooding.
At least 56 people have died in the Dominican Republic, 24 have died in neighbouring Haiti and one has been killed in Jamaica. At least 56 people have died in the Dominican Republic, 34 in neighbouring Haiti and one in Jamaica.
This has just finished me off - it took 60 chickens, 26 pigs - and my family Bienvenido CastilloDominican storm victim This has just finished me off - it took 60 chickens, 26 pigs - and my family Bienvenido CastilloStorm victim
At 0500 local time (0900 GMT) Noel was about 185km (115 miles) south-west of Nassau, in the Bahamas, and about 290km (180 miles) south-east of Miami, the US National Hurricane Center said. At 1100 local time (1500 GMT), the centre of the storm was located about 70km (45 miles) south-west of Nassau, in the Bahamas and 280km (175 miles) south-east of Miami, the US National Hurricane Center said.
Forecasters predict the storm will curve north-east over the Bahamas on Thursday, and the government has issued a hurricane watch for the north-west islands.Forecasters predict the storm will curve north-east over the Bahamas on Thursday, and the government has issued a hurricane watch for the north-west islands.
Packing sustained winds of up to 100km/h (60 mph) the storm is expected to cause rough seas and coastal flooding as it passes the Florida coast, forecasters said.Packing sustained winds of up to 100km/h (60 mph) the storm is expected to cause rough seas and coastal flooding as it passes the Florida coast, forecasters said.
Swept awaySwept away
Dominican President Leonel Fernandez has declared a state of emergency for the next 30 days and asked for international help, especially rescue teams and helicopters. Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez has declared a state of emergency for the next 30 days and asked for international help, especially rescue teams and helicopters.
He ordered residents in 36 communities to evacuate because they were in potential flood zones.He ordered residents in 36 communities to evacuate because they were in potential flood zones.
The village of Piedra Blanca was swept away when a swollen river overflowed its banks, killing at least seven people.The village of Piedra Blanca was swept away when a swollen river overflowed its banks, killing at least seven people.
"A lot of people had to choose between losing one child and losing another," Liony Batista, from Christian group Food for the Poor, said."A lot of people had to choose between losing one child and losing another," Liony Batista, from Christian group Food for the Poor, said.
Bienvenido Castillo, who was rescued by boat, lost his whole family in the storm.Bienvenido Castillo, who was rescued by boat, lost his whole family in the storm.
"I've been here for 20 years and this has just finished me off. It took 60 chickens, 26 pigs - and my family," he said."I've been here for 20 years and this has just finished me off. It took 60 chickens, 26 pigs - and my family," he said.
In Haiti floodwaters rushed through houses in the shanty town of Cite Soleil in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where UN soldiers set up makeshift shelters for storm refugees. In Haiti, the civil protection agency confirmed 10 more deaths overnight, raising the national toll to 34. It warned the total could increase as authorities reach remote towns in the Haitian countryside.
Floodwaters rushed through houses in the shanty town of Cite Soleil in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where UN soldiers set up makeshift shelters for storm refugees.
Some shelters were overwhelmed by evacuees and a local doctor, Virgil Boyer, said he was struggling to provide a blanket for each person.Some shelters were overwhelmed by evacuees and a local doctor, Virgil Boyer, said he was struggling to provide a blanket for each person.
"The biggest problem we have is that these people don't have anything to sleep on," he told the Associated Press news agency."The biggest problem we have is that these people don't have anything to sleep on," he told the Associated Press news agency.
Haiti is especially vulnerable to flash floods and mudslides because most of its trees have been felled to make charcoal.Haiti is especially vulnerable to flash floods and mudslides because most of its trees have been felled to make charcoal.
The storm sent floodwaters pouring down streets and hillsides and trees crashing down on houses.
Several bridges have collapsed and mudslides have blocked roads.


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