Hurricane Sandy is moving toward the central Bahamas after ravaging the Caribbean nations of Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says the Category Two storm has winds about 170 kilometers per hour. After the Bahamas, it is expected to head toward the eastern U.S.
Projected path of Hurricane Sandy
The storm ripped roofs off houses and poured heavy rains on Cuba, but caused no reported casualties.
A man balances a child and umbrella on his bike as it rains during the approach of Hurricane Sandy in Manzanillo, Cuba, Oct. 24, 2012.
In Jamaica, reports say an elderly Jamaican man died when a boulder rolled into his house. And in Haiti, a woman drowned while trying to cross a flooded river as the storm hit.
Some computer models show Sandy moving up the U.S. east coast into colder waters and turning into a winter-like storm called a "nor'easter," bringing high winds and chilly rain to coastal cities early next week.
Sandy is the 18th named storm of a busy Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1 and officially ends November 30.
Hurricane Sandy Strengthens
1/8A red flag flies after lifeguards closed the area for swimming because of dangerous rip currents, as winds from Hurricane Sandy began to affect weather in Deerfield Beach, Florida, October 25, 2012.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba and strengthened to a strong Category Two storm, with winds up to 175 kilometers per hour.
2/8A surfer takes advantage of higher waves as winds from Hurricane Sandy began to affect weather in Boca Raton, Florida, October 25, 2012.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba and strengthened to a strong Category Two storm, with winds up to 175 kilometers per hour.
3/8Jose Aguilera sweeps his home's floor by his empty bed frame after the passing hurricane Sandy damaged his roof, causing rain to soak his mattress, in Gibara, Cuba, October 25, 2012.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba and strengthened to a strong Category Two storm, with winds up to 175 kilometers per hour.
4/8Storm clouds fill the sky over Havana, Cuba, October 24, 2012.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba and strengthened to a strong Category Two storm, with winds up to 175 kilometers per hour.
5/8A woman wades through flood water brought by Hurricane Sandy as she evacuates her home in the Caribbean Terrace neighborhood of eastern Kingston, Jamaica, October 24, 2012.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba and strengthened to a strong Category Two storm, with winds up to 175 kilometers per hour.
6/8Waves brought by Hurricane Sandy crash on a house in the Caribbean Terrace neighborhood in eastern Kingston, Jamaica, October 24, 2012.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba and strengthened to a strong Category Two storm, with winds up to 175 kilometers per hour.
7/8Residents evacuate their home as waves crash in the Caribbean Terrace neighborhood of eastern Kingston, Jamaica, October 24, 2012.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba and strengthened to a strong Category Two storm, with winds up to 175 kilometers per hour.
8/8A man uses a box to protect him from the rain before the arrival of Tropical Storm Sandy in Kingston, Jamaica, October 23, 2012.
Hurricane Sandy has made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba and strengthened to a strong Category Two storm, with winds up to 175 kilometers per hour.
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