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Gustav strengthens off west Cuba Gustav strengthens off west Cuba
(30 minutes later)
Hurricane Gustav has strengthened into a category two storm as it approaches western Cuba, US forecasters have said.Hurricane Gustav has strengthened into a category two storm as it approaches western Cuba, US forecasters have said.
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.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.Gustav has already struck the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, killing more than 70 people.
It could become a category three storm over the weekend as it passes over warm waters and heads for the US Gulf Coast.It could become a category three storm over the weekend as it passes over warm waters and heads for the US Gulf Coast.
Predicted route of Hurricane Gustav (29 August 2008)Enlarge Map
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.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.All buses and trains to and from Havana have also been suspended until further notice.
The BBC's Michael Voss, in Havana, says that 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 BBC's Michael Voss, in Havana, says that 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.
Predicted route of Hurricane Gustav (29 August 2008)Enlarge Map
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.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.Gustav's approach came as New Orleans buried some of the last unidentified victims of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city in 2005.
Cuba concernCuba concern
As of 0610 GMT on Saturday, Gustav had become a category two hurricane with wind speeds of up to 155km/h (100mph) as it passed about 85km (50 miles) north-east of Grand Cayman and about 500km (315 miles) east-south-east of the western tip of Cuba, the US National Hurricane Center said.As of 0610 GMT on Saturday, Gustav had become a category two hurricane with wind speeds of up to 155km/h (100mph) as it passed about 85km (50 miles) north-east of Grand Cayman and about 500km (315 miles) east-south-east of the western tip of Cuba, the US National Hurricane Center said.
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.
We look ahead to a better day, as we also prepare ourselves for another threat Ray NaginMayor of New Orleans Preparing for GustavWe look ahead to a better day, as we also prepare ourselves for another threat Ray NaginMayor of New Orleans Preparing for Gustav
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.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.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.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.Gustav's projected path also takes it over the oil-producing Gulf of Mexico, where workers have been evacuated from several rigs.
Katrina compassionKatrina 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 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 FridayNew Orleans buried the last unclaimed bodies from Katrina on Friday
"We look ahead to a better day, as we also prepare ourselves for another threat," said Mayor Ray Nagin."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.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.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.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.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 seventh tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.Gustav is the seventh tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Have you been affected by Gustav? Are you preparing for its arrival? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Have you been affected by Gustav? Are you preparing for its arrival? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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