Hurricane Irene hits Caribbean

In Caribbean area, Hurricane Irene has torn through the region bringing heavy winds and rains. Cuba, Turks and Cai-cos, and the Dominican Republic were all hit by the hurricane, but no deaths or injuries have been reported. Irene is a category three hurricane with 185-kilometer-per hour winds. The storm sent waves crashing over the seawall in the city of Bara-coa in Cuba, causing moderate flooding. In the Dominican Republic, flooding has stranded at least 20 communities and 11-thousand people have been evacuated. Several people are thought to be missing. In the San Cristo-bal area alone, over 2-thousand people have lost their homes. The Bahamian government has set up emergency shelters, for tourists and residents.