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Hurricane Ike hits Cuba's coast Hurricane Ike hits Cuba's coast
(10 minutes later)
Devastating Hurricane Ike has hit the northern coast of Cuba, where mass evacuations have taken place.Devastating Hurricane Ike has hit the northern coast of Cuba, where mass evacuations have taken place.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been moved from low-lying areas to shelter from the powerful storm.Hundreds of thousands of people have been moved from low-lying areas to shelter from the powerful storm.
The storm has already left at least 47 people dead in Haiti and is reported to have damaged 80% of homes on the main Turks and Caicos islands.The storm has already left at least 47 people dead in Haiti and is reported to have damaged 80% of homes on the main Turks and Caicos islands.
Winds of more than 120mph (195km/h) are hammering the region and torrential rains have caused serious flooding.Winds of more than 120mph (195km/h) are hammering the region and torrential rains have caused serious flooding.
Ike has weakened to a Category Three but is still said to be dangerous.Ike has weakened to a Category Three but is still said to be dangerous.
The Cuban Meteorology Institute said the eye of the hurricane came ashore near Punta Lucrecia in the state of Holguin about 510 miles (823km) south-east of Havana.The Cuban Meteorology Institute said the eye of the hurricane came ashore near Punta Lucrecia in the state of Holguin about 510 miles (823km) south-east of Havana.
RED CROSS APPEAL The charity is accepting donations to help people in the CaribbeanDonations can be made on 0845 053 53 53 or via its websiteRED CROSS APPEAL The charity is accepting donations to help people in the CaribbeanDonations can be made on 0845 053 53 53 or via its website
The BBC's Emilio San Pedro says the Cuban authorities have always proven to be extremely effective at dealing with these types of emergencies - mobilising medical units, opening emergency shelters and evacuating people as they have been doing ahead of Ike's arrival.The BBC's Emilio San Pedro says the Cuban authorities have always proven to be extremely effective at dealing with these types of emergencies - mobilising medical units, opening emergency shelters and evacuating people as they have been doing ahead of Ike's arrival.
Among those taken to safety were 15,000 tourists.Among those taken to safety were 15,000 tourists.
But Ike comes as the relief effort continues in the wake of Hurricane Gustav - which caused serious devastation just days ago on the western side of the island. See Ike's predicted pathBut Ike comes as the relief effort continues in the wake of Hurricane Gustav - which caused serious devastation just days ago on the western side of the island. See Ike's predicted path
Of critical concern is whether the capital, Havana, Cuba's most populous city, with its precarious colonial buildings, will take a direct hit from the storm. If that were to happen it could prove devastating, our correspondent says.Of critical concern is whether the capital, Havana, Cuba's most populous city, with its precarious colonial buildings, will take a direct hit from the storm. If that were to happen it could prove devastating, our correspondent says.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, has already endured the onslaught of four tropical storms in a three week period.Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, has already endured the onslaught of four tropical storms in a three week period.
Local media says the heavy rains and flooding sparked by the outer bands of the storm killed at least 47 people, many of them children, in the town of Cabaret, north of the capital, Port au Prince.Local media says the heavy rains and flooding sparked by the outer bands of the storm killed at least 47 people, many of them children, in the town of Cabaret, north of the capital, Port au Prince.
The destruction in Haiti has been described as catastrophic. Police said 500 people were confirmed dead from recent Tropical Storm Hanna but that others are still missing and the number could rise.The destruction in Haiti has been described as catastrophic. Police said 500 people were confirmed dead from recent Tropical Storm Hanna but that others are still missing and the number could rise.
The newly-installed Prime Minister Michele Pierre Louis has launched a fresh appeal for international aid - especially for helicopters to bring those left stranded by the floods to safety. Many lived for days on their rooftops to escape the flood waters.
Florida threatFlorida threat
RECENT MAJOR STORMS Hurricane Ike: SeptemberTropical Storm Hanna: SeptemberHurricane Gustav: August, SeptemberTropical Storm Fay: August In pictures: Hurricane IkeEyewitness: Waiting for IkeGuide: How hurricanes formRECENT MAJOR STORMS Hurricane Ike: SeptemberTropical Storm Hanna: SeptemberHurricane Gustav: August, SeptemberTropical Storm Fay: August In pictures: Hurricane IkeEyewitness: Waiting for IkeGuide: How hurricanes form
The US National Hurricane Center says it is moving westwards at 13mph (20km/h) and is expected to make a 30-hour track along the centre of the island, although weakening as it does so.The US National Hurricane Center says it is moving westwards at 13mph (20km/h) and is expected to make a 30-hour track along the centre of the island, although weakening as it does so.
It has weakened slightly, from Category Four to Three, but the NHC said it was still potentially very dangerous.It has weakened slightly, from Category Four to Three, but the NHC said it was still potentially very dangerous.
On its current track the storm could threaten the islands of the Florida Keys by Tuesday. Some residents have received evacuation orders.On its current track the storm could threaten the islands of the Florida Keys by Tuesday. Some residents have received evacuation orders.
Emergency management director Craig Fugate, urged them to move soon, or they "may find the escape route blocked by a hurricane".Emergency management director Craig Fugate, urged them to move soon, or they "may find the escape route blocked by a hurricane".
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Are you in the Caribbean? Have you been affected by the storms? What preparations have you made to deal with the adverse weather? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in the Caribbean? Have you been affected by the storms? What preparations have you made to deal with the adverse weather? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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