Jamaica's honorary consul in Bermuda said he feared economic devastation, landslides and flooding as Hurricane Ivan hit the large Caribbean nation last night.

Winston Laylor said his country had bounced back physically fairly quickly after category three Hurricane Gilbert hit in the late 1980s but the financial consequences had lasted much longer.

It had taken down roads and bridges and Mr. Laylor feared a repeat on the many highways which are under construction.

"I can just imagine that will put us back for another two years or so."

His predictions were beginning to be borne out as news emerged last night of waves two stories high crashing on Jamaica's east shore yesterday evening.

They flooded homes and washed away roads as Hurricane Ivan's ferocious winds and driving rains began lashing the island.

Mr. Laylor said Jamaica's homes were sturdy and the mountainous terrain should take the sting out of the winds but he feared those in low lying areas could be hit by landslides and flooding.

Jamaica's Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson has declared a public emergency in Jamaica and pleaded with the half million people considered in danger to get to shelters.

Mr. Laylor said shelters had been set up in every neighbourhood.

Jamaica Association president Marlene Flynn-Simons said she was worried about her family after losing contact yesterday evening when power went down.

Meanwhile Bermuda stands ready to help out hurricane ravaged Grenada said Acting Premier Paula Cox.

And she said Bermuda could empathise after suffering during Hurricane Fabian last year.

A CARICOM fact finding team arrived in the southern Caribbean island yesterday to assess needs and determine how CARICOM member states and associate members can help out.

Grenada is one of a number of Caribbean Islands that suffered extensive property damage and loss of life on Tuesday from Hurricane Ivan, a Category Three hurricane that also ripped through St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Tobago and Barbados causing millions of dollars in loses.

Ms Cox said the Cabinet Office contacted the CARICOM Secretariat on Thursday and as soon as CARICOM advised Bermuda of its specific needs and the extent of the assistance required in the Caribbean, Bermuda will put together a response team to offer assistance.

Minister Cox said: "Having been in a similar hurricane ravaged position only one year ago, Bermuda is deeply saddened to learn of the plight of the Caribbean islands that were hit by Hurricane Ivan.

"We can fully empathise with what these islands are going through and can only imagine the devastation and helplessness they are feeling as they attempt to recover and rebuild their lives, their homes and their countries.

"We offer them our sincerest prayers and a commitment of tangible support to assist in their recovery."

Before Hurricane Ivan hit several of the Caribbean islands, Premier Alex Scott had talked with Chief Ministers and senior Civil Servants in Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados to offer Bermuda's prayers, best wishes and support, once they were in a position to know what they needed.

"Bermuda will mobilise a response team just as soon as we know how we can help," Minister Cox reiterated.