59 killed by tropical storm in Caribbean

Tropical Storm Noel has thus far claimed the lives of at least 59 people in the Caribbean as the downpour barrels towards the Floridian coast. Flash flooding and mudslides killed about 50 people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic while over 9000 Cubans were evacuated from flood-prone areas.

Though Noel has passed the island of Hispaniola the danger continues, according to on emergency official:

"The situation is still dangerous and the number of deaths could rise," said Luis Luna Palino, a spokesman for the Dominican Republic's National Emergencies Centre told local radio.

"Rescuing people is becoming difficult because the rains are continuing."

Sources- Bloomberg, BBC News, AFP, Forbes

Image- BBC News