Hurricane Ivan Kills 13 in Grenada, Heads for Florida

MIAMI, Florida, September 10, 2004 (ENS) - While most Florida residents are picking up the pieces after Hurricanes Charley and Frances, another major storm is on the way. Residents of the Florida Keys have been ordered to evacuate as dangerous Hurricane Ivan heads north, the third hurricane to hit Florida in a month.

On Tuesday, Hurricane Ivan slammed across the Caribbean island of Grenada with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour, claiming at least 13 lives. The storm is estimated to have affected 90,000 of Grenada's 100,000 residents. Initial reports from a British helicopter reconnaissance mission indicate that up to 90 percent of the island has sustained damage.

Churches that were used as shelter have suffered major damage and hundreds of homes have been completely or partially destroyed.

Hurricane Ivan is blowing across the Caribbean bringing death and destruction. (Photo courtesy NASA)

The Caribbean hospitality industry has begun efforts to provide urgent relief assistance to the people and its colleagues in the Eastern Caribbean, following the passing of Hurricane Ivan. The Caribbean Hotel Association is finalizing plans to mobilize a relief effort for the people of Grenada, in conjunction with its federation of 35 national hotel associations.

“We stand in solidarity with the people in the Eastern Caribbean – most significantly, Grenada, St. Vincent, Tobago – who have suffered loss of life and property,” said Caribbean Hotel Association President Berthia Parle. “It is encouraging to see the show of solidarity pouring in from across the region, as well as from our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean Diaspora in North America and Europe.”

"Our prayers are with the people of the Caribbean as they recover from this hurricane in the East and prepare for its passage in the West," said Lelei LeLaulu, president and CEO of Counterpart Caribbean. The organization has years of experience bridging the gap between emergency help and long-term development by delivering material assistance and managing projects that help communities help themselves long after the foreign aid disappears.

This morning, Ivan is moving west-northwest toward Jamaica where a hurricane warning is in effect. Ivan has weakened a little, dropping from a deadly Category 5 hurricane to a still dangerous Category 4 storm.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic have issued hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings, and weather officials say tropical storm or huricane warnings may be required for parts of eastern Cuba later today.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 145 miles per hour with higher gusts, according to the National Weather Service.

The hurricane force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

In Florida, sixteen Disaster Recovery Centers are open to help Floridians recover from damage inflicted by the two recent storms.

But now Governor Jeb Bush and state emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Ivan. Officials say people should plan to evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds, and secure a destination point before leaving home. Residents in north central and west central Florida are being warned to watch for flooding conditions and be prepared to act quickly.

People caught in Hurricane Francess in Brevard County (Photo courtesy Brevard County Office of Emergency Management)

“With more than 3,000 relief workers in Florida helping to deliver assistance, we're confident that we will be able to meet the needs of this and upcoming disasters,” said Joe Becker, vice president of response for the American Red Cross. “It's a monumental effort and we're committed to providing safety to those at risk to Hurricane Ivan, as well as to our own relief workers.”

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced the closure of the Marathon Branch Office, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and 10 Florida State Parks until further notice due to the approach of Hurricane Ivan.

Meanwhile, rainfall from Hurricane Frances has resulted in widespread flooding across portions of northeastern and southeastern Florida.

Numerous thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon across central and northeast Florida have made flood conditions throughout the region more dangerous. Flood warnings continue through this afternoon for Union, Suwannee, Columbia, and Gilchrist counties.

In west central Florida, major river flooding is occurring along the Peace River near Zolfo Springs and Arcadia. Record crests are forecast along the Peace River near Bartow.

Major flooding means extensive inundation and property damage, with possible closure of primary and secondary roads and possible evacuations of people and livestock.

In northeast Florida, major flooding continues along the St. Mary's River near Macclenny. A record crest is expected along the Santa Fe River near Fort White on Sunday and Monday.

Florida Power & Light Company, the state's largest utility, said some 9,000 workers made good progress overnight restoring power. Work amid toppled trees and scattered debris is ongoing as crews focused on making repairs and restoring service to 544,420 customers.

The total number of customers restored since Hurricane Frances began battering Florida this past Friday now stands at more than 2,241,000 out of more than 2,786,000 customers impacted.