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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Ivan Pummels Caribbean, Kills at Least 15 |
| 2004-09-09 |
| By HAROLD QUASH Associated Press Writer September 9th, 2004 Hurricane Ivan pummeled Grenada, Barbados and other islands with its devastating winds and rains, causing at least 15 deaths, before setting a direct course for Jamaica, Cuba and the hurricane-weary southern United States. The most powerful hurricane to hit the Caribbean in 10 years damaged 90 percent of the homes in the "spice isle" of Grenada and destroyed a 17th century stone prison that left criminals on the loose as looting erupted, officials said Wednesday. Ivan strengthened early Thursday to become a Category 5 on a scale of 5. It packed sustained winds of 160 mph with higher gusts as it passed north of the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Some escaped convicts included politicians jailed for 20 years for killings in a 1983 left-wing palace coup that led the United States to invade Grenada. American medical students fearful of marauders armed themselves with knives and sticks. "We are terribly devastated ... It's beyond imagination," Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said from aboard a British Royal Navy vessel that rushed to the rescue. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |
| #1 The NOAA / NWS Page with maps and details. |
| Posted by: Anonymous6372 2004-09-09 9:14:34 AM |