Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste says the storm has also damaged a cholera treatment center in the Central Plateau region. Jean-Baptiste tells reporters that so far there have been no reports of deaths or major destruction. Rain has been relatively light so far in the capital.
The National Hurricane Center said Thursday the storm was centered about 105 miles (170 kilometers) south-southeast of Port-au-Prince with maximum winds of 50 mph (85 kph). Forecasters say the storm is heading toward Cuba and the Bahamas but could also reach Florida.