10/09/2004

Grenada suffers the wrath of Hurricane Ivan

Two Royal Navy ships came to the rescue of residents on the island of Grenada following the onslaught of Hurricane Ivan on Tuesday.

Frigate HMS Richmond and RFA Wave Ruler had previously been tasked to provide standby relief when Hurricane Frances threatened the region. The vessels provided medical assistance to a large number of casualties and supplied additional much needed medical supplies.

Ivan is the most powerful hurricane to hit the Caribbean in 10 years and damaged 90% of the homes in Grenada, killing 13 people and destroyed a 17th century stone prison that left criminals on the loose, according to officials.

A team of engineers have assessing damage at the islands radio station, restoring power and drying out the waterlogged components. UN officials are expected to arrive today in Grenada to assess the situation in the region.

After wreaking havoc in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, St Vincent and parts of Venezuela, Jamacia is bracing itself for Ivan's onslaught and weather forecasters predict that the hurricane could reach the Florida Keys by the weekend with winds of up to 160mph.

For the third time in less than a month all tourists and residents have been ordered to clear out.

(mmcg/gmcg)

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