Jamaica's honorary consul in Bermuda, Winston Laylor, last night expressed his sorrow about the 14 deaths caused to his countryman by Hurricane Ivan.

And he feared for the safety of those in Cuba as the Category Five hurricane continued its murderous way north east after killing 60 people in the Caribbean and doing massive damage in the Caymans.

He said the Jamaica Association would be raising money for families affected in their home land.

“I am very upset,” said Mr. Laylor who said flooding from rains had caused huge damage.

Hurricane Ivan then battered the Cayman Islands with ferocious 150-mph winds yesterday, flooding homes, ripping off roofs and toppling trees three stories tall. High winds prevented officials from assessing damage immediately in the Caymans which has links to Bermuda.

Butterfield Bank has a strong presence in the Cayman Islands with around 250 employees there.

The bank's Chief Executive Officer, Alan Thompson, said staff safety was the first concern so the five Cayman offices have therefore been closed.

If they don't open today a business continuity plan will be activated and clients will be served from the company's other locations.

He said: “Our thoughts are with our staff and their families and we hope that they all come through the storm safely.”

Philip Barnes, Managing Director of Aon Insurance Management (Bermuda), said his company had chartered a 58-seater luxury jet to move out the 35-40 Cayman staff and their families before Ivan hit.

He said: “There were only six spare seats when it left Cayman.” Staff safety rather than cost had been the main concern said Mr. Barnes.

He said the Cayman staff could be doing business again from the company's Montreal base today.