 Battering the Bahamas's southern islands for over two days, Joaquin caused extensive devastation, especially on Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador Island. Severe storm surge inundated many communities, trapping hundreds of people in their homes; flooding persisted for days after the hurricane's departure. Prolonged, intense winds brought down trees and powerlines, and unroofed homes throughout the affected region. As airstrips were submerged and heavily damaged, relief workers were limited in their ability to quickly help affected residents. Damage in the Bahamas totaled about $ 120.6 million. Offshore, the American cargo ship El Faro and her 33 crew members were lost to the hurricane. Coastal flooding also impacted the Turks and Caicos, washing out roadways, compromising seawalls, and damaging homes. Strong winds and heavy rainfall caused some property damage in eastern Cuba. One fisherman died when heavy seas capsized a small boat along the coast of Haiti. Storm tides resulted in severe flooding in several of Haiti's departments, forcing families from their homes and destroying crops. Joaquin also posed a threat to parts of the East Coast of the United States. State of emergencies were declared in Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as a mandatory evacuation from Ocracoke, North Carolina. Joaquin ultimately curved northeast and caused little direct impact in the United States, but another large storm system over the southeastern states drew tremendous moisture from the hurricane, resulting in catastrophic flooding in South Carolina. The storm brought strong winds to Bermuda that cut power to 15,000 customers. Damage on Bermuda was minor.
