Gustav strengthens off west Cuba
Hurricane Gustav has strengthened into a “major” category three storm as it nears western Cuba, US forecasters say.
Cuban civil defence forces have been put on alert, and a mass evacuation is under way in low-lying coastal areas, where mudslides and floods are feared.
Gustav has already struck the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, killing more than 70 people.
It could become a category four storm over the weekend as it passes over warm waters and heads for the US Gulf Coast.
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 Predicted route of Hurricane Gustav (29 August 2008)
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Cuban authorities have evacuated more than 60,000 people from low-lying coastal areas in Pinar del Rio and Isla de la Juventud before Gustav hits, and have mobilised medical and emergency rescue teams to deal with the possible aftermath.
All buses and trains to and from Havana have also been suspended until further notice.
The Caribbean island has one of the most efficient disaster preparedness and evacuation organisations in the region, but that the poor condition of housing in the capital could pose additional risks in a major storm.
The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has said it expects a “huge number” of residents will be told to leave the region over the weekend.
Gustav’s approach came as New Orleans buried some of the last unidentified victims of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city in 2005.
Cuba concern
As of 1000 GMT on Saturday, Gustav had become a “major” category three hurricane with wind speeds of up to 185km/h (115mph) as it passed about 220km (135 miles) south-east of Isla de la Juventud and about 410km (255 miles) east-south-east of the western tip of Cuba, the US National Hurricane Center said.
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 We look ahead to a better day, as we also prepare ourselves for another threat  Ray Nagin
Mayor of New Orleans  |
The storm will move away from the Cayman Islands on Saturday morning at about 19km/h (12mph) before passing through western Cuba later in the afternoon and into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.
Gustav has already claimed the lives of at least 59 people in Haiti, eight in the Dominican Republic and four in Jamaica, where heavy rains caused flooding and strong winds tore roofs off houses.
There have so far been no reports of any casualties from the Cayman Islands, where storm surge and heavy rains flooded streets overnight.
The government did not impose a curfew, but urged people to remain indoors to avoid interfering with emergency workers.
Gustav’s projected path also takes it over the oil-producing Gulf of Mexico, where workers have been evacuated from several rigs.
Katrina compassion
New Orleans buried the last seven unclaimed bodies of Katrina at a memorial site on Friday as the biggest storm to hit the region since approached.
New Orleans buried the last unclaimed bodies from Katrina on Friday
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“We look ahead to a better day, as we also prepare ourselves for another threat,” said Mayor Ray Nagin.
Later, Mr Nagin said an evacuation order was likely, though not before Saturday.
Gustav is forecast to make landfall on the US Gulf Coast anywhere from south Texas to Florida by Tuesday, prompting four states to plan large-scale evacuations.
Emergency officials have warned that a tidal storm surge up to nine metres (30ft) is possible along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
US President George W Bush has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana and Texas, allowing the federal government to co-ordinate disaster relief and provide assistance in storm-affected areas.
Gustav is the second major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.
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