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December 2, 2008 8:01:52 PM CST

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Ike Tears Up Caribbean

Posted Sep 7, 08 6:49 AM CDT in World,  US 

(Newser) – A howling Hurricane Ike bent palm trees and ripped up hundreds of homes as it tore through the Turks and Caicos islands in the Caribbean early today. Up to 50% of houses in Grand Turk lost roofs or were completely destroyed by the 135 mph winds, and the entire British island was without power, reports CNN. People were cowering in closets and under stairwells, "holding on for life," said one witness. "They got hit really, really bad."

Up to 12 inches of rain flooded communities. The "extremely dangerous" storm is speeding toward the Bahamas and is on a path toward eastern Cuba, where officials are preparing for disaster. Ike is expected to make landfall in the US somewhere between Texas and Alabama by Thursday.

Source CNN

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Clouds form as the sun sets on the island of Providenciales and Hurricane Ike approaches the Turks and Caicos Islands yesterday.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
This image provided by NOAA taken late last night shows Hurricane Ike over the Turks and Caicos.   (AP Photo/NOAA)
This NOAA satellite image taken today shows a well defined area of clouds associated with Hurricane Ike as it travels westward towards the southern Bahamas and Florida Straits.   (AP Photo)
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