A storm system reached hurricane strength in the Caribbean today as it heads toward earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Hurricane Tomas had maximum sustained winds at nearly 80mph, and the National Hurricane Centre in Miami said that is expected to strengthen.

Tomas was about 175 miles west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and is moving north east at nearly 9mph.

The storm is expected to cross over Haiti's south-western tip then swirl through the strait that divides Haiti from Cuba.

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