As in Puerto Rico, however, authorities in the Bahamas were aware of the hurricane's passage well ahead of time, and preparations minimized the loss of life in the islands.
And around midafternoon, with several overland passages still ahead of us, the squeezing began in earnest.
Two promising passages lay ahead: the fossil gallery where the river had once flowed, and the canyonlike fissure where it now fell.
As he swam, a wide, airy passage opened up ahead, with a large pool in the distance.
Still, gay rights advocates say they want to lay the groundwork for its passage now, well ahead of a vote.
The troops have proceeded slowly, even though this roadside terrain was relatively easy, compared to the mountain passages that lay ahead, soldiers said.
There's a new test of his seriousness, buried in a variety of Republican moves made ahead of passage of a big energy and water bill by the House on Wednesday.
Such a development could divide the country once more and interrupt important steps in the political reconstruction ahead, like passage of a new constitution by a national assembly in October and nationwide elections in June next year.
