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Hurricane Ike hits Cuba's coast Cuba hammered by Hurricane Ike
(20 minutes later)
Hurricane Ike is battering Cuba's northern coast, generating winds of more than 195km/h (120mph), giant waves and torrential rain.Hurricane Ike is battering Cuba's northern coast, generating winds of more than 195km/h (120mph), giant waves and torrential rain.
Cuban TV has said that some homes along the coast, where hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated, have been damaged beyond repair.Cuban TV has said that some homes along the coast, where hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated, have been damaged beyond repair.
Ike killed at least 47 people in Haiti and reportedly damaged 80% of homes on the main Turks and Caicos islands.Ike killed at least 47 people in Haiti and reportedly damaged 80% of homes on the main Turks and Caicos islands.
It weakened to a Category Three storm but remains dangerous.It weakened to a Category Three storm but remains 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 website 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 website class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7603429.stm">Havana prepares for the worst
With Hurricane Gustav striking just a week ago, Cuba's internationally acclaimed emergency services are being stretched to the limit, the BBC's Michael Voss reports from Havana.With Hurricane Gustav striking just a week ago, Cuba's internationally acclaimed emergency services are being stretched to the limit, the BBC's Michael Voss reports from Havana.
Gustav caused serious damage to the western side of the island, damaging almost 100,000 homes.Gustav caused serious damage to the western side of the island, damaging almost 100,000 homes.
See Ike's predicted path See Ike's predicted path
Ike is forecast to reach the capital early on Tuesday morning.Ike is forecast to reach the capital early on Tuesday morning.
A direct hit on the densely populated city of two million people with its precarious colonial buildings could be devastating, our correspondent says.A direct hit on the densely populated city of two million people with its precarious colonial buildings could be devastating, our correspondent says.
Among those evacuated before the arrival of Ike were 15,000 tourists.Among those evacuated before the arrival of Ike were 15,000 tourists.
Haitian appealHaitian appeal
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, endured the onslaught of four tropical storms in a three week period.Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, endured the onslaught of four tropical storms in a three week period.
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 report.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 report.
The destruction in Haiti has been described as catastrophic.The destruction in Haiti has been described as catastrophic.
Police said 500 people were confirmed dead from recent Tropical Storm Hanna while others were still missing and the number could rise.Police said 500 people were confirmed dead from recent Tropical Storm Hanna while others were still missing and the number could rise.
The newly installed Prime Minister, Michele Pierre Louis, has launched a fresh appeal for international aid.The newly installed Prime Minister, Michele Pierre Louis, has launched a fresh appeal for international aid.
He called in particular for helicopters to bring those left stranded by the floods to safety. Many lived for days on their rooftops to escape the flood waters.He called in particular 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
Ike has been moving westwards at 20km/h (13mph) and is expected to make a 30-hour track along the centre of Cuba, although weakening on the way, the US National Hurricane Center says.Ike has been moving westwards at 20km/h (13mph) and is expected to make a 30-hour track along the centre of Cuba, although weakening on the way, the US National Hurricane Center says.
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
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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