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American Morning

Tropical Storm Dean Attacks Puerto Rico

Aired August 23, 2001 - 09:42   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: They had a lot more rain, too much rain really now, in some Caribbean islands because of Dean. Tropical storm Dean sprang up quickly and brought heavy rains and some strong winds to the region. Puerto Rico was hit first.

So, to find out what it was like, we're going to talk on the telephone now from the Joyuda Beach Hotel in Cabo Rojo. Giselle Bonnin. Ms. Bonnin, thank you for joining us.

GISELLE BONNIN: Thank you for calling us.

FRAZIER: Well, tell me what it was like at your hotel.

BONNIN: Well it has been very rainy since yesterday. It's been very cloudy, but everybody was ready for it and no rivers are flooded. So, everything is calm and OK.

FRAZIER: How did you get ready for it, since this surprised some forecasters by springing up so fast?

BONNIN: Well, we called all of our clients and asked. But all of the roads are clear, we called the police and asked. Then we can let everybody know if it's safe for them to come or not.

FRAZIER: We saw some videotape of cars that were in water well over the tires.

BONNIN: Yes. In the west side of the islands there has been some rivers flooded, but no deaths have been reported. So everything, it's OK.

FRAZIER: And is it still raining there now, or has it blown past you?

BONNIN: Yes,, it's raining a lot.

FRAZIER: It's raining a lot.

BONNIN: Yes.

FRAZIER: And do you worry about the weight of the rain knocking in a roof? I know there was one part of the island where a school was actually -- the roof collapsed. BONNIN: Yes. But here, where we are located in the west of the islands, the winds are not so strong and the rains are not very strong either. They are light rains. And in the west it's a little heavier.

FRAZIER: Now, the water looks to be moving so quickly, that your guests would be at some peril if they stepped outside. It almost looks like they'd be carried away.

BONNIN: Right, right.

FRAZIER: So, do you ask them to stay in with you until the storm has blown by?

BONNIN: Yes, we ask them to stay here, but whenever we don't think it's safe, then we send them off to the refuge that the government prepares for people.

FRAZIER: Well, I'm sorry that it's raining on the vacations of people who are trying to enjoy it down there, but we're grateful to see you, Ms. Bonnin, for explaining the effect of the story. Good luck as it blows by.

BONNIN: OK. Thank you very much.

FRAZIER: Giselle Bonnin, the Joyuda Beach Hotel.

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