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September 8, 2008

Hurricane Ike Weakens, Crosses Cuba
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E15466:A6F02AD83191E1608504C521DB257620A13B8D4F2090AB2B&
 
Cuban officials say about 800,000 evacuated to shelters, high ground,
before storm's arrival; Ike killed at least 47 in Haiti 
NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Ike Monday, 08 Sep 2008Hurricane Ike
has weakened as it moves across Cuba, but is bringing heavy wind and
rain to the island nation. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Ike
has sustained winds near 165 kilometers per hour, down from nearly 200
kilometers per hour when it made landfall on Cuba's northeastern coast
late Sunday. Forecasters say Ike is expected to produce rainfall
accumulations of 15 to 30 centimeters throughout Cuba, with up to 50
centimeters possible in some areas. The rains could cause
life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. Cuban officials say close
to 800,000 people evacuated to shelters or high ground before the
storm's arrival. Ike is expected to regain strength as it moves across
the Gulf of Mexico toward the United States. Meanwhile, a tropical storm
warning has been issued for the U.S. Florida Keys. Officials in Florida
have ordered tourists and residents to evacuate the island chain. U.S.
President George Bush has declared a state of emergency for Florida and
ordered federal aid to supplement relief efforts. The hurricane center
says Ike could produce deadly waves along a portion of the southeastern
U.S. coastline. Officials in Haiti said Sunday that heavy flooding
caused by Ike killed at least 47 people, adding to an estimated toll of
500 people already killed during the past week by a series of storms.
International aid efforts are under way to help the thousands of
beleaguered Haitians who have been without food and clean water for
days.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.


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