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Noel Slams Caribbean; 22 Dead

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By RAMON ALMANZAR, The Associated Press

Published: October 31, 2007

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Tropical Storm Noel brought heavy rain to the western Caribbean on Tuesday as it pushed through Cuba and edged closer to Florida. Floods and mudslides have killed at least 22 people.

Forecasters projected Noel would emerge over water today near Cuba's Cayo Coco resort area and head northeast toward the Bahamas. They said a tropical storm watch might be issued for parts of southeastern Florida.

Warnings were in effect for rough surf for much of South Florida, including the Miami area, as waves pounded area beaches. Swimmers are advised to stay out of the ocean because of rip current risks and waves higher than 10 feet. But forecasters said rain likely would miss drought-stricken Georgia, Alabama and other southeastern states.

The storm cut a destructive path across the island of Hispaniola shared by Haiti and Dominican Republic.

Because of difficulties reaching remote areas of Hispaniola, there was uncertainty over the death toll, with emergency officials reporting between 22 and 36 people dead.

In Haiti, at least six people died, including two women washed away by a river in Gantier, said U.N. peacekeeping mission spokesman Mamadou Bah. Red Cross volunteers said a 3-year-old boy drowned in a raging river in the Duvier neighborhood.

Florida was just outside Noel's expected path. But forecasters said a tropical storm watch may be issued for southeast Florida if Noel shifts west or its wind field expands.

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