Hurricane Ian Nears Cuba on Path to Strike Florida

Havana, 26 Sep (ONA) --- Hurricane Ian moved near the Cayman Islands and closer to western Cuba early today on a track to hit Florida, USA as a major hurricane this week.

Ian was forecast to intensify rapidly and become a major hurricane as soon as late Monday before becoming an even stronger Category 4 hurricane over warm Gulf of Mexico waters before striking the west central coast of Florida after tomorrow (Wednesday).

Authorities in Cuba suspended classes in Pinar del Rio province and planned evacuations today as Ian gained strength on approach to Grand Cayman and the Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio and Artemisa.

Cuba is expecting extreme hurricane force winds, also life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall, US National Hurricane Center said today.

--- Ends/Khalid