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Deadly Hanna threatening Bahamas Deadly Hanna threatening Bahamas
(about 4 hours later)
Emergency warnings have been issued in the Bahamas as Tropical Storm Hanna approaches, having already left at least 25 people dead in Haiti.Emergency warnings have been issued in the Bahamas as Tropical Storm Hanna approaches, having already left at least 25 people dead in Haiti.
It hit the Caribbean as Gustav, a storm which killed 77 in Haiti last week, crossed the US coast at Louisiana.It hit the Caribbean as Gustav, a storm which killed 77 in Haiti last week, crossed the US coast at Louisiana.
Hanna, which could reach hurricane strength as it heads towards the US, has also dumped heavy rain on Cuba and Puerto Rico. Hanna, which could become a hurricane as it heads towards the US, has dumped heavy rain on Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Two more major storms, Josephine and Ike, are following in Hanna's path. Haiti's president said his country was experiencing a "catastrophe" and said he would appeal for aid from donors.
Hurricane shelters were being readied across the Bahamas archipelago as residents in the northern town of Freeport stocked up on emergency supplies in anticipation of Hanna's arrival, reports said. name="story"> class="bodl" href="#map">See a map of Atlantic storms "It is believed that compared to Jeanne, Hanna could cause even more damage," President Rene Preval said.
As of 1500 GMT on Wednesday, Hanna was about 75 miles (125km) south-east of Great Turk island and drifting slowly northwards, the US National Hurricane Center said. The Haitian leader was referring to Tropical Storm Jeanne, which left more than 3,000 people dead in 2004.
It forecast Hanna would head over the Bahamas and towards the south-east coast of the US in the next few days. name="story"> class="bodl" href="#map">See a map of Atlantic storms
Mr Preval said he would hold emergency talks with donor countries to appeal for aid.
Two other major storms - Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine - are following in Hanna's path.
'Ripping up trees''Ripping up trees'
Haiti's northern city of Gonaives bore the brunt of Hanna's maximum sustained winds of 100km/h (65mph) on Tuesday, with people on roof-tops screaming for help as floods reached depths of 2m (6.5ft). Hurricane shelters were being readied across the Bahamas archipelago as residents in the northern town of Freeport stocked up on emergency supplies in anticipation of Hanna's arrival, reports said.
At 2100 GMT on Wednesday, Hanna was about 60 miles (95km) south-east of Great Turk island and moving northwards, the US National Hurricane Center said.
It forecast Hanna would head over the Bahamas and towards the south-east coast of the US in the next few days.
In Haiti, the northern city of Gonaives bore the brunt of Hanna's maximum sustained winds of 100km/h (65mph) on Tuesday, with people on roof-tops screaming for help as floods reached depths of 2m (6.5ft).
Eyewitness: Haiti's ordealsWarming boosts strongest stormsEyewitness: Haiti's ordealsWarming boosts strongest storms
"This is a catastrophe. It's really a major disaster," Haitian Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime told Reuters. "There are a lot of people who have been on top of the roofs of their homes over 24 hours now. They have no water, no food and we can't even help them," Haitian Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime told Reuters.
"There are a lot of people who have been on top of the roofs of their homes over 24 hours now. They have no water, no food and we can't even help them."
UN peacekeepers and aid workers have been trying to reach stranded survivors.UN peacekeepers and aid workers have been trying to reach stranded survivors.
"The situation is as bad as it can be," the UN's Vadre Louis told the Associated Press news agency."The situation is as bad as it can be," the UN's Vadre Louis told the Associated Press news agency.
"The wind is ripping up trees. Houses are flooded with water. Cars can't drive on the street. You can't rescue anyone, wherever they may be.""The wind is ripping up trees. Houses are flooded with water. Cars can't drive on the street. You can't rescue anyone, wherever they may be."
Four years ago, a powerful storm left more than 3,000 people dead in Gonaives. Storms have killed more than 100 people in Haiti in the last three weeks.
Storms have killed more than 100 people in Haiti in the last three weeks.
The impoverished Caribbean island was first drenched by Tropical Storm Fay, before Hurricane Gustav wreaked havoc last week, with torrential rainfall over heavily deforested and hilly terrain causing floods and mudslides.The impoverished Caribbean island was first drenched by Tropical Storm Fay, before Hurricane Gustav wreaked havoc last week, with torrential rainfall over heavily deforested and hilly terrain causing floods and mudslides.
The situation is likely to worsen in coming days, as following in Hanna's path across the Atlantic is Tropical Storm Ike - which is projected to hit the Bahamas on Sunday as a hurricane - and Tropical Storm Josephine.
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