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| Caribbean storm kills 20 people | Caribbean storm kills 20 people |
| (2 days later) | |
| At least 20 people have been killed in flooding in the Dominican Republic following torrential rains dumped by Tropical Storm Noel. | At least 20 people have been killed in flooding in the Dominican Republic following torrential rains dumped by Tropical Storm Noel. |
| Most of the deaths were reported along the south coast, east of the capital Santo Domingo. | Most of the deaths were reported along the south coast, east of the capital Santo Domingo. |
| It is feared the death toll will rise, with another 20 reported missing. | It is feared the death toll will rise, with another 20 reported missing. |
| The storm was continuing to drop heavy rain on the country and on neighbouring Haiti, as it travelled towards Cuba and the Bahamas. | The storm was continuing to drop heavy rain on the country and on neighbouring Haiti, as it travelled towards Cuba and the Bahamas. |
| By 0900 GMT, Noel's centre was very near the town of Gibara on the north coast of Cuba and some 270 miles (435km) south-east of Nassau in the Bahamas. | By 0900 GMT, Noel's centre was very near the town of Gibara on the north coast of Cuba and some 270 miles (435km) south-east of Nassau in the Bahamas. |
| The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned that the storm was expected to strengthen and bring heavy rain to south-eastern Cuba and central and south-eastern Bahamas. | The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned that the storm was expected to strengthen and bring heavy rain to south-eastern Cuba and central and south-eastern Bahamas. |
| Power cuts | Power cuts |
| At least 10in (25cm) of rain has already fallen on the island of Hispaniola - divided between the Dominican Republic and Haiti - and the rain is continuing to fall there, forcing river levels higher. | At least 10in (25cm) of rain has already fallen on the island of Hispaniola - divided between the Dominican Republic and Haiti - and the rain is continuing to fall there, forcing river levels higher. |
| Several bridges are reported to have collapsed, cutting off communities, and early on Monday the entire power system for the Dominican Republic was temporarily knocked out. | Several bridges are reported to have collapsed, cutting off communities, and early on Monday the entire power system for the Dominican Republic was temporarily knocked out. |
| Hundreds of people were being evacuated, amid fears of flash floods and landslides, the country's authorities said. | Hundreds of people were being evacuated, amid fears of flash floods and landslides, the country's authorities said. |
| Great damage has already been done to crops. | Great damage has already been done to crops. |
| At least 10 people died when a river burst its banks east of Santo Domingo in the single worst incident reported. | At least 10 people died when a river burst its banks east of Santo Domingo in the single worst incident reported. |
| Reports suggested between three and five people died in another incident in San Jose de Ocoa, also to the east of the capital. | Reports suggested between three and five people died in another incident in San Jose de Ocoa, also to the east of the capital. |
| Deforested slopes | Deforested slopes |
| Hispaniola is particularly vulnerable to flooding because of its steep hills and because many houses are no more than shacks. | Hispaniola is particularly vulnerable to flooding because of its steep hills and because many houses are no more than shacks. |
| While there were not as yet any reports of fatalities from Haiti, the country often suffers worse from flooding than its neighbour because so much of it has been deforested. | While there were not as yet any reports of fatalities from Haiti, the country often suffers worse from flooding than its neighbour because so much of it has been deforested. |
| The storm had been forecast to hit Haiti hardest, but it veered towards the Dominican Republic on Monday. | The storm had been forecast to hit Haiti hardest, but it veered towards the Dominican Republic on Monday. |
| "I think this has taken some officials by surprise. The storm was predicted to go more toward Haiti," aid worker Holly Inuretta told the Associated Press news agency. | "I think this has taken some officials by surprise. The storm was predicted to go more toward Haiti," aid worker Holly Inuretta told the Associated Press news agency. |