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New storm hits Bahamas two weeks after Hurricane Dorian

EPA Aerial image of Tropical Storm HumbertoEPA
Tropical Storm Humberto has caused heavy rainfall in the Bahamas

A new storm has brought heavy rain to the Bahamas two weeks after Hurricane Dorian devastated the islands.

Tropical Depression Nine strengthened into Tropical Storm Humberto on Friday night, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.

It is now slowly moving north away from the Bahamas and is expected to steer clear of the US coastline.

Humberto is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday night or Monday morning, causing stormy seas.

Although the hurricane will not threaten land, it will bring dangerous swell, surf and rip tides to the south-eastern US coastline and the north-western Bahamas.

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How has the storm impacted the rescue effort?

Rescuers fear that strong winds, heavy rain and flooding in the Bahamas could hinder efforts to find people still missing after Hurricane Dorian.

Carl Smith, from the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (Nema), told reporters the storm could affect the ongoing search for missing people, as well as efforts to get essential supplies to Grand Bahama and Great Abaco - the worst hit islands.

But he said although the weather would slow down logistics, Nema had contingency plans in place.

"I hope it does not disrupt it," he said. "We have taken precautionary measures to address the potential impact that we may encounter."

"Fuel and water remain the biggest needs in Abaco," Mr Smith said.

About 1,300 people are missing after Dorian, while at least 15,000 are in need of shelter, food and medical care.

Hurricane Dorian: What happened?

Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas earlier this month, killing at least 50 people. As the clean-up operation continues, the death toll is expected to rise.

Dorian was packing sustained winds of 295km/h (185mph) when it made landfall at Elbow Cay on the Abacos on 1 September.

It equalled the highest winds ever recorded for a hurricane at landfall when it struck the Abaco Islands.

Reuters Hurricane Dorian damage on Great AbacoReuters
At least 15,000 people have been left homeless in the wake of Hurricane Dorian

On Thursday the US announced $4m (£3.2m) in new humanitarian assistance for the Bahamas. The US Agency for International Development said the money would go towards providing shelter, food, medicine and water to those on the two worst hit islands.

More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from those islands to New Providence, where the country's capital Nassau is located.