Tropical Storm Noel heads for Bahamas

Tropical Storm Noel heads for Bahamas Tropical Storm Noel slashed past Hispaniola, killing a least 20 people in the Dominican Republic Monday before heading toward the Bahamas today with the possibility of strengthening into a hurricane.
   The storm forced the temporary closure of the Port of Caucedo in the Dominican Republic Monday, according to an update from Tropical Shipping. The port was operational again today.
   Power was out through all of the Dominican Republic for two hours Monday. Twenty people were killed by flooding and mudslides in the Dominican Republic, according to an Associated Press report, and another 20 people were reported missing. There were no deaths reported in Haiti.
   The storm moved as far west as Cuba early today, causing it to weaken as it passed over land. But a report from the National Weather Service in Miami said the storm would gain strength as it passed over open waters en route to the Bahamas.
   Shipping services into the Bahamas were expected to be delayed Tuesday. Tropical said its sailings to Nassau and Freeport had been canceled today and offices in both locations would be closed through Wednesday.
   The storm was not expected to hit South Florida, according to hurricane tracking projections, and the strongest part of the storm will be to the east of the storm center. South Florida is still expected to see periods of heavy rain and winds gusting to near tropical storm force — in excess of 39 mph — by Wednesday.