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Cuba hammered by Hurricane Ike Cuba hammered by Hurricane Ike
(about 1 hour later)
Hurricane Ike battered northern Cuba overnight with giant waves and torrential rain, but has weakened slightly as it moves over the island.Hurricane Ike battered northern Cuba overnight with giant waves and torrential rain, but has weakened slightly as it moves over the island.
The Category Two storm's maximum sustained winds are still more than 165km/h (105mph).The Category Two storm's maximum sustained winds are still more than 165km/h (105mph).
Some homes along the coast, where some 800,000 people have been evacuated, have been damaged beyond repair.Some homes along the coast, where some 800,000 people have been evacuated, have been damaged beyond repair.
Earlier, Ike killed 61 people in Haiti and reportedly damaged 80% of homes on the main Turks and Caicos islands.Earlier, Ike killed 61 people in Haiti and reportedly damaged 80% of homes on the main Turks and Caicos islands.
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 the capital 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 the capital Havana.
Hurricane Ike's predicted pathEnlarge ImageHurricane Ike's predicted pathEnlarge Image
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.
"In all of Cuba's history, we have never had two hurricanes this close together," Jose Rubiera, head of Cuba's meteorological service, told state TV."In all of Cuba's history, we have never had two hurricanes this close together," Jose Rubiera, head of Cuba's meteorological service, told state TV.
Windows shatterWindows shatter
Ike is forecast to reach Havana early on Tuesday morning.Ike is forecast to reach Havana early on Tuesday morning.
Cuba's evacuation procedures are recognised for their efficiencyCuba's evacuation procedures are recognised for their efficiency
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.
In the city of Holguin, a hotel worker named Carmela told Reuters news agency: "There is lot of worry, windows are beginning to break. There's a lot of water, it's raining very heavily."In the city of Holguin, a hotel worker named Carmela told Reuters news agency: "There is lot of worry, windows are beginning to break. There's a lot of water, it's raining very heavily."
Among those evacuated before the arrival of Ike were 15,000 tourists.Among those evacuated before the arrival of Ike were 15,000 tourists.
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 Havana prepares for the worst 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 Havana prepares for the worst class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7603749.stm">Caribbean's devastating season
In the Camaguey region, in the path of the hurricane, resident Ramon Olivera was preparing to leave by motorcycle as municipal workers boarded up banks and restaurants.In the Camaguey region, in the path of the hurricane, resident Ramon Olivera was preparing to leave by motorcycle as municipal workers boarded up banks and restaurants.
"There's no fear here but one has to be prepared - it could hit us pretty hard," he told The Associated Press."There's no fear here but one has to be prepared - it could hit us pretty hard," he told The Associated Press.
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.
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
Heavy rains and flooding sparked by the outer bands of the storm killed at least 61 people in Cabaret, to the north of the capital Port-au-Prince.Heavy rains and flooding sparked by the outer bands of the storm killed at least 61 people in Cabaret, to the north of the capital Port-au-Prince.
"The whole village is flooded," said local civil protection official Moise Jean-Pierre. "The death toll could go higher.""The whole village is flooded," said local civil protection official Moise Jean-Pierre. "The death toll could go higher."
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.
It has has been downgraded to a Category Two storm, but the NHC said it was still potentially very dangerous.It has has been downgraded to a Category Two storm, 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".
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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