• Submitted by: manso
• Society
• 11 / 06 / 2010

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English.news.cn 2010-11-06 15:26:38. HAVANA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane Tomas has not caused any casualties or severe damage so far in its path close to the eastern tip of Cuba, the Civil Defense authorities said here on Friday night.

Major General Ramon Pardo Guerra, chief of National Headquarters of Civil Defense (DC), made the announcement, praising all the effort made by the people and the government in the eastern provinces to prevent the possible losses.

The category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (of five), carrying winds of 120 kph, landed 220 km east of Punta de Maisi at eastern Guantanamo province at dusk on Friday, and then moved toward northwest at 22 kph. Municipalities in Moa Holguin, Frank Pais, Sagua de Tanamo Mayari, Antilla and Gibara were also affected.

DC officials said the hurricane with heavy rains caused coastal flooding and a dozen houses collapsed in the provinces of Guantanamo and Holguin.

Hurricane Tomas lashed Haiti Friday with fierce winds and rain before its move to Cuba, leaving five people dead, two missing and six injured,reports from Port-au-Prince said.

Cuba is frequently struck by tropical hurricanes, prompting the island to own an internationally acknowledged Civil Defense System. Editor: Yang Lina

Source: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/message/118820