Islanders Brace For Storm And Volcano

Staying close to their radios, thousands of islanders nervously awaited Friday a double whammy - a possible volcanic eruption and the more certain onslaught of a violent tropical storm.

For the first time since Montserrat’s centuries-dormant volcano rumbled to life July 18, the government provided free flights for people to join friends and relatives on nearby islands.

“We are not evacuating; we are facilitating” their departure, Chief Minister Ruben Meade said. He estimated about 100 were taking advantage of the ride aboard a British Royal Air Force Hercules transport plane.