Tropical Storm Ian strengthened as it approached Cuba and became a Category 1 hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center newsletter said on Monday.
“Ian has become a hurricane,” the NHC warned, warning that “faster strengthening is expected today.”
The weather agency said the storm was moving northwestward toward western Cuba and the Cayman Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour.
Western Cuba is expected to bear the brunt of the storm on Monday, and the NHC has warned of “significant impacts from winds and storms”.
In the United States, Florida residents are also prepared for the storm’s approach, and the NHC has issued a hurricane watch for the west coast.
On Sunday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 67 counties and officials prepared for the storm’s arrival.
“Heavy rains, strong winds, rapid flooding and even isolated tornadoes are expected,” DeSantis told reporters on Sunday.
The governor urged residents to stock up on food, water, medicine and fuel and prepare for power outages.
DeSantis mobilized 2,500 National Guard members to the area.
Authorities in various locations in this southeastern US state, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa, have begun distributing free sandbags to residents to help protect their families from the risk of flooding.
US President Joe Biden also declared a state of emergency in Florida allowing the release of federal aid funds.
“It’s never too early to be prepared,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
The Caribbean and parts of eastern Canada are still assessing the damage done by Storm Fiona that ravaged the region last week.
While Fiona passed through the Caribbean, she left seven dead: four in the U.S. region of Puerto Rico, two in the Dominican Republic, and one in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe.
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© Agence France-Press
source: Noticias
