HUGO HEADS FOR BAHAMAS, U.S. MAINLAND.(Main)

Byline: Associated Press

Hurricane Hugo spun toward the Bahamas today after scouring Puerto Rico with 125 mph winds, leaving at least 14 dead throughout the eastern Caribbean and more than 50,000 homeless.

The National Weather Service reported another 25 deaths in Puerto Rico. There was no immediate confirmation from island officials, but they said poor communications were hindering efforts to assess the damage.

Hugo hit northeastern Puerto Rico and then skirted its populous northern coast on Monday. It roared on to the northwest and toward open water, its hurricane-force winds missing the Dominican Republic.

With Hugo heading toward the U.S. mainland, cruise lines emptied their ships of passengers and "hauled tail" out of port. Florida residents jammed the phone lines of insurance companies for financial protection.

Early computer predictions indicated the eastern Caribbean's strongest storm in 10 years storm was likely to hit the East Coast late in the week, and officials told coastal residents to familiarize …