Haiti's death toll nears 900 and is expected to rise into the thousands once communication is reestablished with western tip of island 

  • Death tolls in the Caribbean have surged in the days after Hurricane Matthew moved away from Islands 
  • Haiti alone has seen nearly 900 people die from storm with many more missing or unaccounted for 
  • Communication has been cut off from remote southwestern tip of island and deaths there aren't reported
  • An estimated 61,500 people are in shelters in Haiti and 300,000 homeless because of the storm's impact
  • Other regions of the Caribbean were also hit hard with four reported dead in the Dominican Republic 
  • Cuban streets were reduced to rubble as debris from the storm littered the island  

Hurricane Matthew's death toll in Haiti has climbed to nearly 900 people.

That number is expected to go up once communication is established with remote parts of the island.

Days after Hurricane Matthew moved away from Haiti, the number of people killed continues to rise in the hundreds as villages are reached by aid and rescue workers for the first time since the storm hit.

Patients filled rural clinics with varying ailments, including broken bones, which have yet to be treated since the storm hit on Tuesday. 

With more than 300,000 homeless, food is limited and it is believed at least seven people have died of cholera, Reuters reported.

This is likely due to flood water mixing with sewage.

Authorities and aid workers still lack a clear picture of what they fear is the country's biggest disaster in years. 

Hundreds have been killed and thousands left homeless in Haiti (pictured) following the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Matthew

Hundreds have been killed and thousands left homeless in Haiti (pictured) following the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Matthew

Almost 900 people have been killed in Haiti but that number is expected to climb once communication is reestablished with remote parts of the island

Almost 900 people have been killed in Haiti but that number is expected to climb once communication is reestablished with remote parts of the island

A United Nations official said Hurricane Matthew has caused the biggest humanitarian crisis in Haiti since the devastating earthquake of 2010

A United Nations official said Hurricane Matthew has caused the biggest humanitarian crisis in Haiti since the devastating earthquake of 2010

The southwest peninsula of Haiti lacked reliable communication systems on Friday and could not contact authorities to report deaths in the area

The southwest peninsula of Haiti lacked reliable communication systems on Friday and could not contact authorities to report deaths in the area

A woman carries a laundry basket with her belongings inside in an area reduced to rubble by Hurricane Matthew days after the storm swept through  

A woman carries a laundry basket with her belongings inside in an area reduced to rubble by Hurricane Matthew days after the storm swept through  

Men carry a woman wounded in Hurricane Matthew in Chantal, Haiti, in the central part of the southern peninsula 

Men carry a woman wounded in Hurricane Matthew in Chantal, Haiti, in the central part of the southern peninsula 

Haitians put their clothes to the sun after Hurricane Matthew in Playa Gelee, Haiti, as a man stands in the surf nearby

Haitians put their clothes to the sun after Hurricane Matthew in Playa Gelee, Haiti, as a man stands in the surf nearby

The number of deaths in Haiti jumped to at least 877 on Friday. The government leaders said the final tally could be in the thousands.     

The southwest peninsula lacked reliable communication systems on Friday and could not contact authorities for an official death toll.

A United Nations official said Hurricane Matthew has caused the biggest humanitarian crisis in Haiti since the devastating earthquake of 2010. 

Saint-Victor Jeune, an official with the Civil Protection agency working in Beaumont, in the mountains on the outskirts of hard-hit Jeremie, said his team had found 82 bodies that had not been recorded by authorities

Saint-Victor Jeune, an official with the Civil Protection agency working in Beaumont, in the mountains on the outskirts of hard-hit Jeremie, said his team had found 82 bodies that had not been recorded by authorities

The death toll in Haiti continued to climb through the day on Friday and authorities anticipate it's not finished rising 

The death toll in Haiti continued to climb through the day on Friday and authorities anticipate it's not finished rising 

A man walks through the water after Hurricane Matthew in Playa Gelee, Haiti, on Friday as the death toll continues to soar 

A man walks through the water after Hurricane Matthew in Playa Gelee, Haiti, on Friday as the death toll continues to soar 

A boat was left ashore near some homes in Playa Gelee, Haiti, after the tides rose and then later receded following the hurricane 

A boat was left ashore near some homes in Playa Gelee, Haiti, after the tides rose and then later receded following the hurricane 

People use a handmade ladder after a key bridge has been destroyed, which connected two parts of the island

People use a handmade ladder after a key bridge has been destroyed, which connected two parts of the island

A man walks through the rubble in Playa Gelee after the storm destroyed thousands of homes and left thousands more in shelters 

A man walks through the rubble in Playa Gelee after the storm destroyed thousands of homes and left thousands more in shelters 

Locals are attempting to clean up what they can in the wake of Hurricane Matthew but the devastation left behind is immense 

Locals are attempting to clean up what they can in the wake of Hurricane Matthew but the devastation left behind is immense 

The central government's official death toll stood at 283 on Friday but changed that number by 1pm to more than 800 people.

However, authorities doing work the on-ground assessment in the remote corners of the southwestern peninsula said it would likely be significantly higher when the full accounting was complete.

Saint-Victor Jeune, an official with the Civil Protection agency working in Beaumont, in the mountains on the outskirts of hard-hit Jeremie, said his team had found 82 bodies that had not been recorded by authorities in the capital. 

Atanase Constant (pictured) stands in the ruins of his home destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes, Haiti

Atanase Constant (pictured) stands in the ruins of his home destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes, Haiti

A statue's head lays in the rubble of the Saint Anne church destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Camp Perrin, a district of Les Cayes, Haiti

A statue's head lays in the rubble of the Saint Anne church destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Camp Perrin, a district of Les Cayes, Haiti

Saintanor Dutervil stands with his wife in the ruins of their home destroyed by Matthew in Les Cayes

Saintanor Dutervil stands with his wife in the ruins of their home destroyed by Matthew in Les Cayes

People sit in front of destroyed houses after the hurricane passes Jeremie, Haiti; Officials have warned that the death toll could stretch into the thousands and they still lack a clear picture of what they fear is the country's biggest disaster in years

People sit in front of destroyed houses after the hurricane passes Jeremie, Haiti; Officials have warned that the death toll could stretch into the thousands and they still lack a clear picture of what they fear is the country's biggest disaster in years

The southwest peninsula lacked reliable communication systems on Friday and could not contact authorities for an official death toll (Croix March-a-Terre, in the southwest, pictured)

The southwest peninsula lacked reliable communication systems on Friday and could not contact authorities for an official death toll (Croix March-a-Terre, in the southwest, pictured)

A 26-year-old woman stands inside of her house destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in the Southwest of Haiti, where many official communication systems have been cut off 

A 26-year-old woman stands inside of her house destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in the Southwest of Haiti, where many official communication systems have been cut off 

A group of people carry a coffin and try to cross the river La Digue, after the collapse of the only bridge that connects to the south

A group of people carry a coffin and try to cross the river La Digue, after the collapse of the only bridge that connects to the south

 A woman covers her face as she walks next to a dead body who, according to witnesses, was found after Hurricane Matthew in Cavaillon, Haiti

 A woman covers her face as she walks next to a dead body who, according to witnesses, was found after Hurricane Matthew in Cavaillon, Haiti

This is due to the poor communication systems following the storm. 

Officials were especially concerned about the department of Grand-Anse on the northern tip of the peninsula, where they believe the death toll and damage is highest. 

The deaths reported by aid workers did not include Grand-Anse or its surrounding areas.

At least 89 more are missing, in the Grand-Anse region in southern Haiti.

At least three towns reported dozens of fatalities, including the inland community of Chantal, whose deputy mayor said 90 people perished, without giving details

At least three towns reported dozens of fatalities, including the inland community of Chantal, whose deputy mayor said 90 people perished, without giving details

Men begin clearing out brush from felled trees in the southwest of Haiti days after Hurricane Matthew tore through the island 

Men begin clearing out brush from felled trees in the southwest of Haiti days after Hurricane Matthew tore through the island 

Children climb on trees that have been downed and destroyed after Hurricane Matthew, in Croix March-a-Terre, in Southwest Haiti

Children climb on trees that have been downed and destroyed after Hurricane Matthew, in Croix March-a-Terre, in Southwest Haiti

A girl lugs buckets of drinking water after the passing of Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes; With a key bridge washed out, roads impassable and phone communications down, the western tip of Haiti was isolated and there was no word on dead

A girl lugs buckets of drinking water after the passing of Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes; With a key bridge washed out, roads impassable and phone communications down, the western tip of Haiti was isolated and there was no word on dead

A girl washes mud from her feet after Hurricane Matthew passed in Les Cayes, Haiti, two days after the storm passed 

A girl washes mud from her feet after Hurricane Matthew passed in Les Cayes, Haiti, two days after the storm passed 

A boy removes mud and water from his completely flooded house in Les Cayes, Haiti

A boy removes mud and water from his completely flooded house in Les Cayes, Haiti

People stand in an area affected by Hurricane Matthew in Cavaillon; International aid efforts were stymied Tuesday because of the lack of access to the hardest-hit areas

People stand in an area affected by Hurricane Matthew in Cavaillon; International aid efforts were stymied Tuesday because of the lack of access to the hardest-hit areas

Saint Anne church lays totally destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Camp Perrin, a district of Les Cayes, Haiti

Saint Anne church lays totally destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Camp Perrin, a district of Les Cayes, Haiti

'We don't have any contact with Port-au-Prince yet and there are places we still haven't reached,' Jeune said. 

At least three towns reported dozens of fatalities, including the inland community of Chantal, whose deputy mayor said 90 people perished, without giving details. 

Coastal town Les Anglais lost 'several dozen' people, the central government representative in the region, Louis-Paul Raphael said.

Les Anglais was the first place in Haiti that Matthew reached, as a powerful Category 4 storm before it moved north, lost strength and lashed central Florida on Friday.

Hours before the hurricane landed in Haiti, Les Anglais' mayor said residents were fleeing for their lives as the ocean rushed into their homes.  

Most of the dead appeared to have been killed by falling debris from the winds that tore through the area at 145 mph on Tuesday.

More than 430,000 were evacuated from the island, the poorest region in the Western Hemisphere, ahead of the hurricane. 

Electronic devices covered in mud stand outside an office destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes

Electronic devices covered in mud stand outside an office destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes

Residents stand near a church that had its roof ripped away by Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes, Haiti, Thursday, as the repair effort continues

Residents stand near a church that had its roof ripped away by Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes, Haiti, Thursday, as the repair effort continues

Piles of personal items are set out to dry as homeowners cull through the debris of their homes destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes

Piles of personal items are set out to dry as homeowners cull through the debris of their homes destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Les Cayes

At least 61,500 people are in shelters in Haiti after they were forced from their homes.

Deputy Special Representative for Haiti Mourad Wahba said officials have received reports of destroyed houses and overflowing hospitals, with shortages fresh water. He also says the hospital in the city of Les Cayes had its roof blown off.

With a key bridge washed out, roads impassable and phone communications down, the western tip of Haiti was isolated and there was no word on dead and injured.

New aerial footage has illustrated some of the mass devastation, showing villages that have been leveled by 145 mph winds, with wreckage and misery everywhere.  

In Cuba, residents were seen walking through the rubble strewn streets, and digging through the remains of broken buildings trying to recover their belongings

In Cuba, residents were seen walking through the rubble strewn streets, and digging through the remains of broken buildings trying to recover their belongings

People search for belongings in the devastation caused by hurricane Matthew in Baracia, Cuba

People search for belongings in the devastation caused by hurricane Matthew in Baracia, Cuba

People collect water after hurricane Matthew hit the area, in Baracia, Cuba; Cuba, however, unlike Haiti, appears to have escaped relatively unscathed when it comes to death toll

People collect water after hurricane Matthew hit the area, in Baracia, Cuba; Cuba, however, unlike Haiti, appears to have escaped relatively unscathed when it comes to death toll

More than 30 homes were washed away in the Island's northeastern region but as of Thursday night none were reported dead

More than 30 homes were washed away in the Island's northeastern region but as of Thursday night none were reported dead

A woman cleans up debris on Friday in Cuba after Hurricane Matthew swept through the island earlier in the week 

A woman cleans up debris on Friday in Cuba after Hurricane Matthew swept through the island earlier in the week 

In addition, at least four people were killed in the Dominican Republic.

In Cuba, residents were seen walking through the rubble strewn streets, and digging through the remains of broken buildings trying to recover their belongings. 

It is unclear if anyone was killed during the storm in Cuba. 

More than 30 homes were washed away in the Island's northeastern region but as of Thursday night none were reported dead.  

No injuries have been reported in the Bahamas, but homes have been destroyed by the rising water and winds and roads were still impassable as of Friday. 

Cubans pick up the pieces on Thursday, following the damage and havoc caused by Hurricane Matthew in Baracoa, Cuba, where the streets are littered with rubble

Cubans pick up the pieces on Thursday, following the damage and havoc caused by Hurricane Matthew in Baracoa, Cuba, where the streets are littered with rubble

Residents rebuild their homes, and clear up the brick, roofing and other rubble from the street after Matthew battered Baracoa, Cuba 

Residents rebuild their homes, and clear up the brick, roofing and other rubble from the street after Matthew battered Baracoa, Cuba 

A woman in Baracoa, Guantanamo province, east of Cuba, walks past ruined mattresses. No deaths have been reported in Cuba as of Friday

A woman in Baracoa, Guantanamo province, east of Cuba, walks past ruined mattresses. No deaths have been reported in Cuba as of Friday

But an extensive clean-up will be needed in order to remove the mountainous debris from the roadways and streets 

But an extensive clean-up will be needed in order to remove the mountainous debris from the roadways and streets 

The Caribbean bore the brunt of the damage from the Category 3 storm which skirted the Florida coast yesterday.

But the state still suffered in its wake as 121mph winds brought a storm surge of up to 12ft and more than 10in of rain.

Roofs were peeled off homes, trees were uprooted and the state’s multi-million dollar tourism industry was hit as attractions in Orlando, including Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios, were shut.

Daytona Beach and the city of Orlando, both popular with British tourists, were put under curfew until 7am today.

Walt Disney World like a ghost town as it closes for Hurricane Matthew

Walt Disney World like a ghost town as it closes for Hurricane Matthew

Some flights to and from the UK to the storm-affected area were cancelled, although flights from Heathrow to Miami were still taking off yesterday.

The first US casualty was reportedly a 58-year-old woman in St Lucie County, Florida, who died of a heart attack.

More than three million people had already left their homes to flee to safety. Of those who remained, some 600,000 were left without power.

At Cape Canaveral, home to Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre, Sandy Wilk tweeted: ‘We are seriously ground zero here. Hunkered down, lights flickering, winds are crazy.’

Hurricane Matthew is seen moving up the east coast of Florida in this infrared image from NOAA's GOES-East satellite taken at 07:45am ET (11:45 GMT) October 7, 2016

Hurricane Matthew is seen moving up the east coast of Florida in this infrared image from NOAA's GOES-East satellite taken at 07:45am ET (11:45 GMT) October 7, 2016

Both presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton shut down their campaign offices in Florida.

Mr Trump’s £6million seaside estate in Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago, was set to take a battering as were dozens of mansions in the area owned by billionaires.

The storm, one of the strongest to hit the Caribbean and US, also killed four people in the Dominican Republic. Luxury hotels in the Bahamas were damaged by winds reaching 145mph and telephone pylons were uprooted in the capital Nassau.

Some 26million people have been affected by Hurricane Matthew as it covers almost half of the US East Coast.

The storm, which has swollen to 170 square miles in size, is set to continue north until tomorrow before weakening.

 

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