Hurricane Marilyn Menaces Islands in Eastern Caribbean
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FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique — The fourth hurricane to hit the Caribbean in as many weeks--this one named Marilyn--raced westward on Thursday, playing havoc with some eastern islands and menacing others.
Marilyn threatened to brush past St. Martin, the Dutch-French island devastated by Hurricane Luis last week.
Heavy seas and rain squalls hit Martinique’s north coast on Thursday, and the airport, schools and some businesses were closed as Marilyn passed just northeast of the French island.
Winds up to 80 m.p.h. bent coconut trees and ripped off their palm fronds, littering the streets of Fort-de-France, the capital.
Next in line was Dominica, which lost 90% of its vital banana crop to Hurricane Luis last week. Schools, businesses and government offices closed as skies darkened and rain pelted the island.
Earlier Thursday, Marilyn damaged 22 homes, downed power lines and uprooted trees in Barbados, about 150 miles southeast of Martinique, officials said. No injuries were immediately reported.
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