This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6956371.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK tourists spared full hurricane UK tourists spared full hurricane
(10 minutes later)
Thousands of UK tourists in Mexico have escaped the full force of Hurricane Dean which has devastated parts of the Caribbean, claiming at least 11 lives.Thousands of UK tourists in Mexico have escaped the full force of Hurricane Dean which has devastated parts of the Caribbean, claiming at least 11 lives.
The hurricane hit land around 0900 BST with 160mph winds but it passed to the south of Cancun where around 5,500 British holidaymakers are staying.The hurricane hit land around 0900 BST with 160mph winds but it passed to the south of Cancun where around 5,500 British holidaymakers are staying.
The resort has been thrashed by very strong winds and rain.The resort has been thrashed by very strong winds and rain.
Two Royal Navy vessels are heading to Belize, where the damage is expected to be greater.Two Royal Navy vessels are heading to Belize, where the damage is expected to be greater.
The storm intensified into the highest category, five, as it approached the Mexican coast.The storm intensified into the highest category, five, as it approached the Mexican coast.
The MoD said that as the Cayman Islands did not suffer any significant damage from Hurricane Dean, two Royal Navy vessels in the region, HMS Portland and RFA Wave Ruler, would prepare to offer assistance to Belize.The MoD said that as the Cayman Islands did not suffer any significant damage from Hurricane Dean, two Royal Navy vessels in the region, HMS Portland and RFA Wave Ruler, would prepare to offer assistance to Belize.
'Somewhere safe''Somewhere safe'
David Connelly, who is from Stafford has lived in Belize for the past seven years. He said the country's northern reaches, near the border with Mexico, were bearing the brunt of the hurricane.David Connelly, who is from Stafford has lived in Belize for the past seven years. He said the country's northern reaches, near the border with Mexico, were bearing the brunt of the hurricane.
He told the BBC News website on Tuesday: "I live south of Belize City and it is rather quiet here. We only have a little bit of rain and it's hardly making a splash outside.He told the BBC News website on Tuesday: "I live south of Belize City and it is rather quiet here. We only have a little bit of rain and it's hardly making a splash outside.
View path of Hurricane Dean in more detailEnlarge MapView path of Hurricane Dean in more detailEnlarge Map
"There's probably more to come but it is likely just to be a tropical storm. I think the government was just being cautious by putting the whole country on hurricane watch.""There's probably more to come but it is likely just to be a tropical storm. I think the government was just being cautious by putting the whole country on hurricane watch."
He said local radio reported the rain had been coming down hard further north.He said local radio reported the rain had been coming down hard further north.
David Spires, acting British high commissioner in Belize, said people had been strongly advised to leave their homes.David Spires, acting British high commissioner in Belize, said people had been strongly advised to leave their homes.
"We understand that most people have taken that option, although one or two people are battening down the hatches and deciding to ride out the storm," he said."We understand that most people have taken that option, although one or two people are battening down the hatches and deciding to ride out the storm," he said.
Dahlia Castillo, owner of Tony's Inn & Beach Resort in Corozal, north of Belize City, said: "We have evacuated our guests, and we are putting up everything we can put up.Dahlia Castillo, owner of Tony's Inn & Beach Resort in Corozal, north of Belize City, said: "We have evacuated our guests, and we are putting up everything we can put up.
"Then we need to get ourselves somewhere safe, because we are right by the water.""Then we need to get ourselves somewhere safe, because we are right by the water."
Graham Lancaster, from the Federation of Tour Operators, said the tourists in Cancun were likely to endure the equivalent of a tropical storm and the resort was not likely to suffer any structural damage.Graham Lancaster, from the Federation of Tour Operators, said the tourists in Cancun were likely to endure the equivalent of a tropical storm and the resort was not likely to suffer any structural damage.
Me and my family are due to depart the island tomorrow... and we have no idea if we will be able to do so Victoria Malbon, Jamaica BBC News website reader Dean: Readers' updates In pictures My parents were in Cancun but were evacuated - I'm just glad they got a on a plane, as many tourists had to wait it out. Olivia, Sheffield BBC News website reader Dean: Readers' updates In pictures
About 3,000 British tourists were evacuated from Cancun in recent days, ahead of the hurricane.About 3,000 British tourists were evacuated from Cancun in recent days, ahead of the hurricane.
Mr Lancaster added: "Holiday companies sent empty planes to take people home. The majority of those that are still there are staying in their hotels, although some have been moved to hurricane shelters."Mr Lancaster added: "Holiday companies sent empty planes to take people home. The majority of those that are still there are staying in their hotels, although some have been moved to hurricane shelters."
Boarded upBoarded up
Tom Wilkinson, from Manchester, who lives in the Mexican resort of Playa del Carmen, 30 miles south of Cancun, witnessed a "very impressive" electrical storm on Monday evening.Tom Wilkinson, from Manchester, who lives in the Mexican resort of Playa del Carmen, 30 miles south of Cancun, witnessed a "very impressive" electrical storm on Monday evening.
"We had quite a lot of lightning, quite a lot of rain, and just a little bit of wind - so really it's just so that we can see that it's actually on its way," he said."We had quite a lot of lightning, quite a lot of rain, and just a little bit of wind - so really it's just so that we can see that it's actually on its way," he said.
"All the residents here are boarded up. I think quite a lot of people have learnt from the last hurricanes.""All the residents here are boarded up. I think quite a lot of people have learnt from the last hurricanes."
Meanwhile, airports in Jamaica remain closed and electricity supplies turned off after the storm hit on Sunday.Meanwhile, airports in Jamaica remain closed and electricity supplies turned off after the storm hit on Sunday.
Jane Chatwin, 42, who is on holiday in Jamaica with her partner Mark Newton and four children, was relieved that their hotel was untouched.Jane Chatwin, 42, who is on holiday in Jamaica with her partner Mark Newton and four children, was relieved that their hotel was untouched.
"There were 250 of us all in one big hall. It was a bit like the Blitz, not knowing what was going on outside," she said."There were 250 of us all in one big hall. It was a bit like the Blitz, not knowing what was going on outside," she said.
"We weren't allowed to drink anything, which was a shame - with a few more drinks it would have been more of a party atmosphere.""We weren't allowed to drink anything, which was a shame - with a few more drinks it would have been more of a party atmosphere."
FOREIGN OFFICE TRAVEL ADVICE Cayman Islands: All travel advised againstJamaica: All travel advised againstMexico: All but essential travel to the Yucatan peninsula advised againstBelize: All but essential travel to the coastal area advised against Shutters up on Caymans FOREIGN OFFICE TRAVEL ADVICE Cayman Islands: All travel advised againstJamaica: All travel advised againstMexico: All but essential travel to the Yucatan peninsula advised againstBelize: All but essential travel to the coastal area advised against Shutters up on Caymans
Advice lineAdvice line
An estimated 5,000 holidaymakers in Jamaica saw trees uprooted and roofs torn apart after the south coast of the island was battered by winds of up to 230km/h (145mph).An estimated 5,000 holidaymakers in Jamaica saw trees uprooted and roofs torn apart after the south coast of the island was battered by winds of up to 230km/h (145mph).
Some hotels were evacuated, curfews were imposed and the national grid was shut down.Some hotels were evacuated, curfews were imposed and the national grid was shut down.
A month-long state of emergency has been declared, widening the powers of security forces.A month-long state of emergency has been declared, widening the powers of security forces.
ADVICE LINE FOR UK NATIONALS (00 1 876) 510 0700ADVICE LINE FOR UK NATIONALS (00 1 876) 510 0700
Marcia Sinclair, director of emergencies at the Red Cross in Jamaica, said early signs suggested the damage caused was not as bad as predicted.Marcia Sinclair, director of emergencies at the Red Cross in Jamaica, said early signs suggested the damage caused was not as bad as predicted.
The Foreign Office is advising British people against all travel to Jamaica until further notice.The Foreign Office is advising British people against all travel to Jamaica until further notice.
The British High Commission in Jamaica has set up a 24-hour phone line for UK nationals seeking advice.The British High Commission in Jamaica has set up a 24-hour phone line for UK nationals seeking advice.


Are you a British tourist trapped in the affected areas? Or has your holiday been cancelled or delayed? Tell us your story here and we will publish a selection on this page. Are you a British tourist trapped in the area? Or has your holiday been cancelled or delayed? Send us your comments using the form below:
Name
Name