As unusual as sudden was the passage of hurricane Ivan by the Venezuelan coasts.  The effects of hurricane Frances were still felt over the U.S. Florida State coasts, and a new cyclone was emerging in the Caribbean.
 
Spiral bands from Ivan -the fifth hurricane in the 2004 hurricane season- battered the eastern states of Sucre, Nueva Esparta, and Anzoátegui last Tuesday, causing floods and high waves, which forced the authorities to issue a hurricane watch nationwide.
 
Central Vargas State was hit by the category 4 hurricane on Wednesday, bringing fear and havoc along the shoreline. In the north central states of Miranda and Carabobo, hurricane Ivan left more than 100 people homeless.
 
From the central region, Ivan headed west and pounded the coasts of Falcón State, leaving 99 people homeless at the seashore localities of Adícora and El Supí, as it caused heavy rains, winds and waves.

Html packaging: Ysabel Meléndez Medina
Translation: Teresa León