Caribbean storm kills 20 people

Waves

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.

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.

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.