Ivan skips most tourist areas
Grenada appeared to be hardest hit by hurricane Ivan, which is expected to reach US shores somewhere between the Florida Panhandle and eastern Louisiana on Wednesday.
One of the most powerful storms on record, Ivan caused at least 68 deaths but missed major tourist areas. The storm hit Cuba, with damages still being assessed, but bypassed the resort areas of Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.
In Grenada, more than 90% of homes were damaged by flooding, surges and high winds, officials reported. Hurricane damages were still being assessed, but at least one resort, the 66-room Spice Island Beach Resort reported heavy damage.
Owners announced the property will be closed for one year so it can be rebuilt.
In Florida, three recent hurricanes that included Ivan caused disruption to residents and slowed tourism.
The hurricanes also impacted cruises. Port Canaveral closed for a few days but reopened earlier this week. Cruise lines such as Carnival substituted Miami and Fort Lauderdale when Canaveral closed.
Cruise lines altered their schedules to cope with hurricane Ivan. Seven or more ship itineraries were affected.
A scattering of hotels in Florida suffered mostly minor damage.
Lodgian Inc. one of the nation’s largest independent owners and operators of full-service hotels, said its five Florida properties experienced minor to significant hurricane damage.
The company said its 295-room Holiday Inn Melbourne, closed since 1 September, will reopen at an unspecified date.
Best Western said some of its properties in Florida were not accepting reservations because of damages. Some properties such as the Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach are not accepting reservations until next January.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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