Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509080099
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SIMPSON BAY, ST. MAARTEN LENGTH: Medium
The island was virtually isolated from air and sea access until Thursday, two days after one of the century's most powerful hurricanes hit. At least 13 people were killed as the 700-mile-wide storm swept through the region.
Seven bodies had washed up in Simpson Bay. At least two others were reported killed and hundreds were missing on the island, which is split between the Dutch side and the larger French side known as St. Martin.
The storm demolished entire neighborhoods, yachts, restaurants and luxury hotels. Thousands of tourists were left stranded without electricity, running water or telephone service on St. Maarten, which appeared to be the hardest hit of the Caribbean islands.
Looters attacked stores ripped apart by the weather. ``They're taking jewelry, electronics, everything,'' said police Lt. John Reeves, who arrived Thursday with a police contingent from Curacao to help restore order.
Up to 2,000 people were homeless on St. Martin, according to French administrator Michel Diessenbacher, who arrived Thursday from his base in Guadeloupe with 250 French soldiers on a Transall transport plane.
Hurricane Luis tore through the eastern Caribbean with 125-mph winds. The storm strengthened Thursday to 130 mph in the Atlantic as it moved northwest at about 13 mph. It was expected to turn further north Friday.
Luis was not expected to endanger the U.S. mainland, but Bermuda has issued a tropical storm watch. The storm was 640 miles south of Bermuda by Thursday night.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB