Cricket team escapes hurricane

Hurricane Ivan brought fierce winds to Barbados

A mid Wales cricket squad has been forced to flee its Barbados hotel after it came under threat from 120mph winds from Hurricane Ivan.

The 28-strong party from Llandysul were ushered into safe houses as gales hit the Caribbean island on Monday.

The team, which also included wives, girlfriends and some children, were given just an hour to pack.

Hurricane Ivan has swept through some Caribbean islands, reportedly killing at least 15 people.

However, the people from Ceredigion escaped injury.

The storm strengthened on Thursday to become a category five - the highest on the scale.

The team could have been badly hit, but luckily they all survived safely Nigel Edkins

Ben Edkins, 19, is one of the cricketers on tour. His father Nigel said his son and his team mates, and their families, had now returned to their Europa Hotel in St James.

"They arrived in Barbados on Saturday for a four-match tour with local teams," said Mr Edkins.

"But on Monday, Ben said they were given just an hour to evacuate their hotel when the bad weather hit the island.

"The team could have been badly hit, but luckily they all survived safely.

"They were taken to safer houses, but at the hotel Ben witnessed staff putting valuables such as furniture and glassware into the swimming pool for safe keeping.

"Ben said the experience was mind-boggling and he stayed up and watched the storm unfold.

"He saw trees uprooted and houses disappear. It was something obviously very dangerous but also quite unique, especially for someone who will probably never witness something like that again."

A man in his kitchen in Barbados after the hurricane ripped away his roof

Ben, an all-rounder, has played under 21 cricket for Glamorgan and has also skippered Wales at junior level.

The cricketers are expected back in Wales on 18 September.

Most of the deaths caused by Hurricane Ivan were reported in Grenada, where the capital St George's was hit by 200km/h (125mph) winds.

Grenada's Prime Minister, Keith Mitchell, told the BBC the island was "90% devastated" and that he had declared a national disaster.

The storm is forecast to strike Jamaica on Friday and Cuba at the weekend.

There are conflicting reports of the total death toll from the storm, with the US State Department putting the number of dead at 20.

Most of the damage was inflicted on Grenada on Tuesday, but downed communications meant it has taken time for the news to filter out.

The BBC Caribbean service's reporter in St George's, Michael Bascombe, said the hurricane was the worst in living memory - worst than Hurricane Janet, which wrecked the island in 1955.

"I've seen movies, I've heard about hurricanes but never in my wildest dreams I would have lived to experience what I've experienced with Hurricane Ivan, looking and seeing for myself houses and rooftops literally lifted and blown away," he said.