After plunging Cuba into darkness, Hurricane Ian threatens Florida

Residents of Port Charlotte, Florida, shore up a store ahead of Hurricane Ian's landfall, September 27, 2022. REUTERS - MARCO BELLO

Text by: RFI Follow

3 mins

Hurricane Ian ravaged western Cuba on Tuesday without causing any casualties but leaving behind countless scenes of desolation, before heading for Florida, where residents and authorities were on alert for an " 

" phenomenon.  ".

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Ian, which made landfall in the early hours of the morning in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio, was 375 kilometers from Sarasota, Fla., on Tuesday afternoon and moving forward, with sustained winds of 195 km/h, at a speed of 17 km/h. 

No casualties are currently to be deplored, according to the Cuban authorities, but the violent winds and the intense rains persisted in the west of the island where the hurricane sowed desolation in several localities, noted journalists from AFP.

On the road to San Juan y Martinez, 190 km from Havana, the province of Pinar del Rio, where most of the country's tobacco plantations are located, was hard hit.

Crops were flooded, trees uprooted and electric wires littered the ground.

The national electricity operator Union Eléctrica has also declared a general power cut on the whole island.

Florida, an American state, is only a stone's throw away in the path of the hurricane.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned in its 9 p.m. (UT) bulletin that the Category 3 hurricane would approach the west coast of Florida as an "

 ".

state of emergency in florida

In the public gardens of Miami, where our correspondent

went , the town hall left piles of sand in self-service, the inhabitants come here to fill bags to protect themselves from the floods which are likely to accompany Ian.

Shirtless with his shovel, Aron, in his thirties, frantically fills his bags.

The major hurricane hasn't arrived yet, but it's been raining non-stop for two days and the water is already starting to rise in front of his house by the sea. "

 »

At her side, Freddie also comes to fill sandbags, but for his grandmother.

She begins to worry because the path of the hurricane is uncertain.

“ 

 , ”he explains.

Freddie is old enough to remember Hurricane Andrew that devastated Miami in 1992, so he takes the threat seriously.

“

»

A state of emergency was declared across Florida and authorities stepped up preparations.

And the Governor of Florida's instruction is simple: do not panic but prepare as much as possible.

“

,” Governor Ron DeSantis warned.

He asked residents to stock up and prepare for power cuts, while mobilizing 7,000 members of the National Guard.

US President Joe Biden has approved federal emergency aid for 24 of Florida's 67 counties.

Florida is now preparing for the arrival of the hurricane.

Forecasts may change but for now experts say it will be a very violent, potentially deadly hurricane with devastating effects.

So I want to send two very clear messages.

First, my administration is on high alert and acting to help people in Florida.

I approved Florida's request for emergency assistance as soon as I received it from the governor and instructed my team to step up on-site assistance before the storm hits.

The second thing I would like to say is that citizens in potentially affected areas must obey the instructions of local officials.

Evacuate when ordered.

And be prepared for the coming storm.

Your safety is more important than anything.

I know everyone affected by this storm is in our hearts and we will be with you every step of the way.

We won't leave you.

President Joe Biden provides update on preparations

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