SAMANA, Dominican Republic - Tropical Storm Jeanne hovered near hurricane strength as it plowed through the northeastern Dominican Republic on Thursday, prompting thousands to flee their homes a day after pounding Puerto Rico and killing at least two people.
Jeanne was forecast to regain hurricane strength and move toward the Bahamas - devastated earlier this month by Hurricane Frances. It could then move toward the southeast United States, anywhere from Florida to the Carolinas. Eastern Cuba might also be hit, said forecasters.
At least eight Dominicans were injured as trees were toppled and floods struck parts of the east and northeast, emergency officials said. Powerful waves pounded the north coast, along with high winds and driving rain. Phone services and electricity were knocked out in some areas.
More than 8,200 people were evacuated in the Dominican Republic, taking refuge in shelters set up in schools and churches, officials said.
Jeanne became a hurricane early Thursday as winds increased to near 80 mph before hitting land at eastern village of Cabo Engano. Winds later dropped to 70 mph over the northeastern Dominican Republic. Jeanne's winds were near 70 mph when it raged across Puerto Rico on Wednesday, dumping up to 2 feet of rain, snapping trees and downing power lines.
Puerto Rican Gov. Sila Calderon asked President Bush to declare a disaster and free up federal aid to "address the urgent and unforeseen needs."
Puerto Rico expected another 5-10 inches of rain Thursday, threatening flash floods and mudslides, said Hector Guerrero, a meteorologist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
At 11 p.m., Jeanne was over the northeastern Dominican Republic, about 65 miles northeast of the capital of Santo Domingo, moving west-northwest near 6 mph.
Tropical storm-force winds stretched out 70 miles from Jeanne's center. Jeanne was expected to hug the north coast of the Dominican Republic and continue west-northwest today.
A hurricane warning was posted for the southeastern Bahamas and the British Turks and Caicos Islands, and a watch for the central Bahamas.
