(22 Sep 1998) Spanish/Nat
Puerto Ricans woke up to scenes of devastation on Tuesday after Hurricane Georges wrought havoc across the island.
Georges left at least six people dead as it cut through the northeast Caribbean with winds blowing at speeds of up to 110 mph (177 kph).
The Dominican Republic braced itself as the storm headed towards its coast where many of the 15 (m) million people live in substandard housing that could leave them exposed to the hurricane's fury.
Puerto Rico endured the full devastating force of Hurricane Georges on Monday night and on Tuesday they awoke to scenes of chaos.
It stripped forests, flooded hotels, shattered glass, flipped small airplanes, whisked away satellite dishes and forced many thousands into shelters.
At least six were reported dead as it cut through the northeast Caribbean with winds blowing at speeds of up to 110 mph (177 kph).
Blocked roads prevented rescuers from responding to calls for help, and the upscale Conquistador Resort which overlooks the sea in Fajardo sustained extensive damage.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"What we have seen around this area, having walked around, is a lot of damage. We did not expect it to be this bad as you can see palm trees have been blown down, the streets flooded. The hotels in the Conquistador resort are completely destroyed. We really did not expect this. It was much stronger than the last hurricane - Hurricane Hugo."
SUPER CAPTION: Raul Umpirre, hotel owner
More than 80 percent of Puerto Rico's 3.8 (m) million people lost electricity on Monday and more than 70 percent had no water.
Countless roads and highways were choked by fallen trees and poles, dangling power lines, antennas, awnings, tin roofs and other debris.
Dozens of isolated neighbourhoods have been flooded.
On Tuesday U-S President Bill Clinton declared Puerto Rico and the U-S Virgin Islands disaster areas, authorising immediate release of U-S recovery aid.
Many residents have left their makeshift refuges, set up throughout the island, to assess the damage.
This woman found her lighting shop completely destroyed.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Well, what can I tell you? We don't know what time this all happened. We kept ourselves in safety until about 5pm. Apparently the windows were broken and the wind caused complete destruction inside here. You can see the result."
SUPER CAPTION: Patricia Quentana, Lighting Shop Owner
Most of Puerto Rico's 3-point-8 (m) million people are without electricity and water.
Work has begun reinstating electricity lines and water to the worse affected areas of the capital.
It is not known how long it will take for everything to return to normal.
At least eight people in total are now dead as a result of the powerful storm.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that looters are operating throughout the capital.
Hurricane Georges bore down on the Dominican Republic with 120 mph (193 kph) winds.
The winds have already knocked out power and forced residents into shelters.
Georges' powerful thunderstorms on Monday left all of Puerto Rico without electricity, and 80 percent of its people without water.
Eight people were reported dead.
The storm spawned tornadoes as it slowly ripped through the island of 4 (m) million people.
Now Dominican Republic is preparing for the worst hurricane.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We guarantee an immediate response to the effects of the hurricane. The effects of the hurricane may effect the provinces and the towns of the northern east part of the country."
SUPER CAPTION: Empidio Vaez, Civil Defence
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