OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Hurricane Michelle - Cuba / Honduras
3 November 2001


Hurricane Michelle, a Dangerous Category 3 Storm, Heads for Cuba

This message is not an official hurricane warning or alert for any
country.

1.  Hurricane Michelle gathered strength and now it is a dangerous
category 3 storm.

2.  The National Weather Center in Miami reports that at 1500 GMT, 3
November 2001, the center of Hurricane Michelle was located near latitude
19.0 north, longitude 84.2 west or about 205 miles (330 km)
south-southeast of the Western tip of Cuba. Maximum sustained winds are
near 145 mph (230 km/hr) with higher gusts.

3.  A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the provinces in western Cuba:
from Pinar del Rio eastward to Ciego de Avila, including Isla de la
Juventud.

4.  A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch remain in effect for
the Florida keys from Ocean Reef westward to the Dry Tortugas, including
Florida Bay.

5.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Island of Grand Cayman.


Cuba

6.  According to the media, officials evacuated some 35,500 students from
educational farm camps in low-lying areas, and 500 tourists from smaller
southwestern islands such as Cayo Coco and la Isla de la Juventud.


Honduras

7.  According to the Permanent Commission for Contingencies (COPECO), as
of 2 November, 7,387 people have been evacuated and 27,179 people
affected.

8.  The Government has initiated damage assessment and needs analysis
through EDAN (Operaciones de Evaluacion de Danos y Analisis de
Necesidades), fielding assessment teams to Gracias a Dios and Yoro.

9.  COPECO is sending food rations to the affected areas.

10.  For further information, please refer to the website of the National
Hurricane Service in Miami at www.nhc.noaa.gov, and
www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/Gif/atl.latest.gif.

11.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers (OCHA Response Coordination Branch):
  Mr. E. Haegglund / Ms. M. Kondo
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99/1997

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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