Hurricane Ian: Cuba left without power as storm makes landfall in Florida
The strong hurricane triggered extensive blackouts throughout Cuba and left a path of devastation in its wake. The Insmet meteorological institute reported that Ian impacted western Cuba for more than five hours early on Tuesday before departing over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Before Hurricane Ian makes landfall in the US state of Florida, authorities there ordered 2.5 million residents to leave. Tuesday saw “significant wind and storm surge impacts” in western Cuba, according to the US National Hurricane Centre. Ian had top sustained winds of 205 km/h.
The strong hurricane triggered extensive blackouts throughout Cuba and left a path of devastation in its wake. The Insmet meteorological institute reported that Ian impacted western Cuba for more than five hours early on Tuesday before departing over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm damaged Cuba’s power network and plunged the island into darkness, leaving it “without electrical service,” state Electricity Company Union Electrica said on Twitter.
Residents of Florida have been posting pictures and videos of the state’s changing weather as it approaches the state.
Pinar Del Rio province in Cuba, which took the brunt of the hurricane, had about 40,000 people evacuated, according to local authorities.
The US National Storm Center (NHC) predicted that Ian will intensify before making landfall as a major hurricane on the west coast of Florida on Wednesday.
According to the Pentagon, 3,200 members of the National Guard were first called up in Florida, and 1,800 more were added subsequently. Additionally, Tampa International Airport’s operations were halted as of Tuesday evening.