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Puerto Rico hit hard

Published:Tuesday | August 23, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Civil defense workers remove fallen trees from a road after hurricane Irene hit the area in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, yesterday. Hurricane Irene headed out over warm ocean water on a path that could take it to northeastern Dominican Republic and part of Haiti early today and to the US mainland by the end of the week.AP

PUERTO RICO, SAN JUAN, (AP):

In the meantime, Hurricane Irene cut power to more than a million people in Puerto Rico, downing trees and flooding streets yesterday. Forecasters warned it could be a major storm as it threatens Florida and South Carolina by the end of the week.

There were no reports of deaths or major injuries in Puerto Rico, but Govenor Luis Fortuno declared a state of emergency and urged people to stay indoors to avoid downed power lines, flooded streets and other hazards.