Hurricane Irene gains strength
Hurricane Irene is set to intensify as it heads towards the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas.
The hurricane is the first of the Atlantic season and yesterday passed over the Dominican Republic, causing heavy downpours and strong winds.
The category two hurricane earlier led to a state of emergency being imposed in the US Virgin Islands, while other Caribbean islands were also affected.
Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International were forced to change their Caribbean itineraries to avoid the storm.
So far, tourist hotels in affected islands have remained open, but holidaymakers have been advised to check with their travel company.
On Monday, Irene knocked out power to more than half the island of Puerto Rico and affected water supplies to more than 100,000 people.
The governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuno, has asked the US government to declare Puerto Rico a disaster area so it could gain access to emergency funds.
The storm is set to reach Florida by the weekend.
Jeremy Skidmore
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