Hurricane Sandy Churns Up Caribbean

THONY BELIZAIRE/AFP/Getty Images

Hurricane Sandy Churns Up Caribbean

At least 69 people have been killed by Hurricane Sandy in the Caribbean.

The worst damage appears to be in Haiti, the region’s poorest nation. Massive flooding caused mudslides to engulf buildings and swept flimsy shacks out to sea. Almost three quarters of the nation’s crops have been destroyed in the hardest hit areas. More than 50 people are reported dead. According to the government, 200,000 people are now homeless and the nation could be facing another humanitarian disaster.

In Cuba, 11 people were reported dead along with widespread damage to around 130,000 homes. One fifth to a third of the nation’s coffee crop is said to be destroyed. The state-run newspaper Granma says the economy took a huge hit and that rebuilding will take years.

Jamaica reported large flooding in rural areas and one death. In the Bahamas, two people were killed. Two more people were killed in the Dominican Republic while reportedly attempting to cross a river. Parts of its capital, Santo Domigo, are under water, but flooding is worst in the southern part of the country. One death was reported in Puerto Rico.