travel news review


5 October '98
The Caribbean islands continue to assess damage left in the wake of Hurricane Georges, hoping to get everything back in business in time for the high travel season, December-April. Most of the islands now have water, power and phones back in operation and roads have been cleared, but many people still lack housing, and food is scarce in some areas. If you have plans to travel to this region before December, check on conditions before your departure. Most of the islands have tourist boards in the USA that can provide updates, and Puerto Rico has a hurricane hotline at 888-858-9582. The hardest hit islands were Puerto Rico, St Kitts/Nevis and Dominican Republic.

On the up side, American Airlines is offering some bargain fares to the islands. The specials are intended for friends and relatives wishing to go to the aid of those affected by Georges. The fares are one way and all travel must be completed by 31 October.

23 September '98
Hurricane Georges is pounding the Caribbean. He's battered Antigua, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Eustatius, Saba and the Virgin Islands with 130mph (210kph) winds, and killed at least six people on Puerto Rico and three in the Leewards. In the Dominican Republic, he's tossed telephone poles and tin roofs all over the eastern end of the island. Georges' eye passed just north of Santo Domingo and was expected to hit Haiti later in the day.

Travellers should be aware that electricity and phone services on these islands are unreliable at best, medical facilities are overburdened and drinking water is scarce and likely to be contaminated. Landslides and flooding are constant dangers, and transportation may be difficult or impossible to obtain.

The Dominican Republic, Haiti, eastern Cuba, the Turks & Caicos and the southern and central Bahamas are all subject to hurricane warnings. Georges is headed straight for Miami. Tourists have been evacuated from the Florida Keys, and the southeastern coast of Florida is bracing for the worst

28 July '98
The residents of Nevis will vote on 10 August to determine if they will secede from their union with St Kitts. The islands function under a federation with both populations represented by an elected National Assembly and a Prime Minister. Nevis also operates its own, internal, home government with a separate legislature.