Tornado hits Puerto Rico delaying
Caribbean games, at least 5 injured
MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico — A very rare event has
occurred in Puerto Rico. A strong tornado touched down in the coastal
city of Mayaguez at 12:35 pm destroying the entire lighting system,
vehicles and injurying 7 people. A waterspout slammed into the stadium
where thousands of people were expected to gather for the inauguration
of the Central American and Caribbean Games on Saturday, July 17,
injuring at least five people and forcing officials to delay the opening
ceremony.The storm ripped down scaffolding workers were using to add
final touches to the Jose Figueroa Olympic Stadium, toppling the metal
onto cars below. The injuries were not serious, but officials evacuated
people who had already arrived at the stadium which is close to the
shore on Puerto Rico's western coast.Felipe Perez, president of the
games organizing comittee, said he was taken aback by the storm's
strength."The wind was like something out of a movie," he
said.
