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Hurricane Ike batters Carribean islands

07/09/2008

The Category 4 Hurricane Ike has reached the Caribbean Islands triggering hurricane warnings in the region.

The national hurricane centre (NHC) has called Ike, which will bring winds of up to 135 mph, "extremely dangerous" and has called for emergency preparations on the islands to be "rushed to completion".

Hurricane Ike is also expected to pass over Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba soon, according to the NHC. Yesterday, local authorities from Haiti said over 500 people had died as the storms Hanna and Gustav battered the country.

In a statement posted on its website, the NHC stated the hurricane could further strenghten before it passes over eastern parts of Cuba.

It also warned of "life threatening flash floods and mudslides over moutainous terrain" as the storm passes over eastern Cuba and nearby islands.

Speaking about the likely effects of the storm, the forecasting service said it expected: "Storm surge flooding of 13 to 18 feet above normal tide levels... along with large and dangerous battering waves... can be expected in the warning area in areas of onshore flow.

"Large swells generated by Ike will affect portions of the south-east United States coast during the next couple of days. These waves could generate dangerous and life threatening rip currents."

Hurricane Ike is the ninth severe weather system of the Atlantic storm season this year.