Trailing Death, Destruction, Ivan Tracks for Florida Panhandle

MIAMI, Florida, September 13, 2004 (ENS) - Hurricane Ivan, the most powerful hurricane to hit the Caribbean for 10 years, has strengthened to a Category 5 storm after smashing Jamaica with strong winds and torrential rain on Saturday, claiming 15 lives. Across the Caribbean, 65 deaths are blamed on the storm.

The storm battered the Cayman Islands on Sunday night and is forecast to pass between Cuba and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula before heading for the Florida Panhandle, where people are still recovering from August's Hurricane Charley. Residents of the Panhandle and Big Bend areas may have to evacuate again later this week, state and county officials warn.

As of late Sunday night, Ivan's maximum sustained winds were near 165 miles per hour (270 kph), with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Map of Ivan's path shows hurricane warnings in red, tropical storm warnings in blue. (Map courtesy NOAA)

Forecasters expect "periodic fluctuations in intensity," and the National Hurricane Center says, "there remains considerable uncertainty as to just when and where, and at what intensity, Ivan will make landfall in the United States." Still, current predictions have Ivan over the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday evening.

By Sunday morning, Jamaicans were starting to assess the damage as Ivan moved off northwestward across the Caribbean. As evacuees returned to their homes, preliminary reports indicate widespread damage to housing and infrastructure, and numerous landslides across the country. Some of those who did not evacuate were trapped in their homes when roofs collapsed.

The Jamaican National Emergency Management Organization estimates that about 2,000 acres of bananas were destroyed at a loss of over $10 million. Other damages were estimated in the $7 million range.

Both Jamaican international airports have reopened, but for the general population power and water services remain unavailable while supply and distribution systems are checked. Fallen utility poles and trees made several roads impassale. Coastal roads in the east were damaged by storm surges and flooding.

Further south, Ivan devastated the island of Grenada on Tuesday. Power is still out across the island, and there are few fresh water supplies. Thirteen people have died, and Grenadan officials believe that the death toll will rise.

The battered island of Grenada (Photo courtesy CEDERRA/IFRC)

The USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Friday conducted one airlift of emergency relief supplies from Miami to Grenada, including 10,160 water containers, 500 rolls of plastic sheeting, and four water bladders. The plastic sheeting will meet the needs of 25,000 people. The water purification unit is capable of processing enough water for 10,000 people per day. The total value of U.S. emergency relief supplies, including transport, is $253,750, according to USAID.

Water remains in short supply while repairs are being carried out on Grenada's distribution system. Officials estimate that 80 percent of water supplies will be restored in the St. Georges area by Tuesday. To get water to people elsewhere, three water trucks from the National Water and Sewerage Authority and one from St. George’s University will be attempting to deliver water nationwide. Oxfam will be addressing the water and sanitation needs.

Limited commercial flights have resumed to Grenada by LIAT Airlines on a first-come, first-served basis during daylight hours.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have mobilized to help the hurricane victims. A team of regional prime ministers met with Grenadan Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell in Grenada on Sunday to coordinate relief assistance.

Heavy duty equipment, building supplies and food from St. Vincent and the Grenadines arrived in Grenada on Sunday.

International and regional Red Cross teams are already in Grenada, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. A British Red Cross Logistics Emergency Response Unit has also been deployed to Grenada to support the relief efforts.

The International Red Cross has launched an appeal for $1.39 million to provide shelter materials, food, blankets, kitchen sets, hygiene articles and jerry cans to support 10,000 people across the Caribbean in the coming six months.

Inside Hurricane Ivan, photo by the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters (Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force)

Fuel supplies at gas stations across Florida are being replenished as fuel companies deliver millions of gallons of gasoline and diesel to retailers and communities in south and central Florida. Fuel ran short and gas stations closed on September 1 and 2 as motorists tanked up to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Frances.

Operating under an Executive Order from Governor Jeb Bush signed September 4, fuel companies, fuel companies are trucking fuel supplies into metropolitan areas and along evacuation corridors. On an average day, consumers in Florida use 26.5 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel.

"We are making significant progress with fuel delivery across the state - fuel companies have distributed close to a month’s supply of fuel in less than a week," said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Colleen Castille.

By Thursday evening, more than 160 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel was at Florida’s ports for distribution throughout the state by more than 1,100 trucks. Over the next week, 22 ships will arrive to deliver an additional 160 million gallons of fuel across Florida.

Six days after Hurricane Frances pounded Florida, the state's largest utility, Florida Power and Light (FPL) has restored power to 2.4 million homes and businesses, 85 percent of the 2.8 million that had lost power during the storm.

Floridians have been donating their time, energy and inspiration to help their neighbors recover.

On Wednesday, business owner Steven Barnard was inspired by the sight of FPL utility trucks filling the parking lot at the Boynton Beach Mall, a staging site for Hurricane Frances restoration - inspired enough to purchase 50 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts to sweeten the morning for the 600 FPL field personnel before they left for their day on the job in Palm Beach County.

Volunteers and park personnel worked to remove fallen trees, repair facilities and clean up debris from the storm at 20 of Florida’s state parks closed last week on account of Hurricane Frances. On Friday, the parks reopened to visitors.

"It is truly remarkable to see staff and volunteers coming together after devastating storms to reopen our parks ahead of schedule," said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. "Personnel are not only cleaning up parks, they are helping communities in need and providing a natural haven for storm weary Floridians."