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Hurricane Tomas Leaves Damage In Its Wake

BARBADOS - (CBS4) - Newly born Hurricane Tomas is barreling through a cluster of eastern Caribbean islands, tearing off roofs, damaging houses and downing power lines in its path.

One lawmaker in St. Lucia tells state radio that fierce winds have ripped off the roof of a hospital and a school.

The government has ordered two airports and all businesses closed.

Also under hurricane warning are St. Vincent and Martinique, where at least 20,000 people are without power, streets flooded and tree branches are down.

Tomas had already knocked down power lines and damaged houses in Barbados.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Tomas is a Category 1 storm with winds of 75 mph and is centered about 35 miles southwest of St. Lucia this afternoon.

Tomas, the Atlantic season's 12th hurricane, is expected to drop up to 6 inches of rain in the region.

Forecasters say it could become a Category 2 storm Monday evening and possibly reach Category 3 by midweek, with winds around 115 mph.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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