 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 . 
