One dead, another missing after Hurricane Matthew

Strong winds buffeted the southern coast of the Americas' most destitute country, where flimsy homes and buildings leave residents exposed to natural disasters.

More than 2 000 people were evacuated to temporary shelters in the Grand Sud region by early yesterday evening. 

During the day, civil protection forces struggled with locals who refused to leave some of the most vulnerable areas.

They included the extremely impoverished, densely populated neighbourhoods of Cite Soleil [where some 100 000 of the total 500 000 residents face serious flooding risks] and the capital's Cite L'Eternel by the sea.

ALSO READ: Hurricane Matthew to make landfall later today

The sea level kept rising on the southern side of Haiti's side of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic.

With the risk of flooding, 43 detainees from the Miragoane prison were moved to Fond-des-Negres further inland.

Flooding is also being reported in some areas of Jamaica as the Category 4 storm on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale creeps closer from the south.

Cuba evacuated some 316 000 people from the east of the island.

- Devastating blow -

Matthew is expected to hit southwestern Haiti, packing powerful winds and torrential rain.

Cuba and the Bahamas also lie along the likely path of destruction.

Haiti, eastern regions of Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas have been placed under a hurricane warning. In Haiti, the alert level has risen to the maximum level of red.

Monstrous storm swells of up to 3.3 meters (11 feet) were forecast off Cuba and Haiti.

It is expected to turn back toward the north, tearing across southern and eastern Cuba between Monday and Tuesday as it moves toward the Bahamas.

Forecasts predict the hurricane will dump 38 to 63 centimeters (15 to 25 inches) of rain over southern Haiti with up to a meter possible in isolated areas.

- Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba prepare -

Thousands are still living in tents in Haiti after the country's massive earthquake in 2010. Erosion is especially dangerous because of high mountains and lack of trees and bushes in areas where they have been cut for fuel.

Workers used heavy machinery to empty canals in central Port-au-Prince that have been blocked by trash for months, although they were unlikely to complete the job in time.

Authorities evacuated more than 500 people on Sunday from the southwestern city of Jeremie as a precaution. Nearly 1 000 have also been housed in temporary shelters in other southern regions.

In Jamaica, officials said the army and military reserves were called up to help deal with hurricane damage.

Buses were also being sent to flood-prone areas to move residents to shelters.

US embassies in Jamaica and Haiti closed yesterday and Today due to the storm.

At the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for all non-essential personnel and family members. 

The 61 remaining inmates in the base's prison are safe.

Forecasters predict the hurricane could hit the US East Coast around midweek. 

Florida and parts of North Carolina have declared states of emergency.