Hurricane Ian approaches Florida – millions may be evacuated

After Hurricane Ian swept through Cuba on Tuesday, causing devastation and widespread power outages, it is approaching Florida in the United States.

Cuba without strength

Power was cut across Cuba on Tuesday as Hurricane Ian moved over the country. According to the country’s state electricity company, they worked nights until Wednesday so that the country’s 11 million residents could restore electricity. In the capital, Havana, many still lack electricity.

No deaths have been reported so far in connection with the storm’s progression, but about 50,000 people have been evacuated, areas are inundated and buildings damaged.

The hospital in Pinar del Río was badly damaged and many of Cuba’s economically important tobacco plantations were destroyed by the winds.

– It was a real disaster, says farm owner Hirochi Rubina.

Approaching Florida

Now the hurricane is approaching the state of Florida in the United States. According to the US National Hurricane Center, the eye of the hurricane will likely move over the area south of Tampa on Florida’s west coast.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns of a “significant and extremely dangerous hurricane.”

About 2.5 million people in Florida may need to be evacuated. Hurricane Ian is classified as a Category 3 hurricane, which means gusty winds of up to 58 meters per second.