More than one million people were evacuated from homes in Cuba as people boarded up to await what many describe as 'Ivan the Terrible.'
A hurricane watch was issued for northeastern Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, said the Mexican wire service Notimex reported. The eye of the storm just missed the Cayman islands but it left its signature with fallen trees and power lines, ripped roofs and flooded airport and roads in the island which has strict building codes and no shanty towns unlike in Jamaica and Grenada which suffered extensive damage.
Reports from Cayman Islands, which are mostly resort towns and also known for offshore banking, say they were without power and at some places people were standing on the roof tops of multi-storey buildings to avoid huge waves raked up by Ivan.
The power outages cut off Grand Caymans communications with the outside world but CNN quoted ham radio operators as reporting horizontal rain because of high winds and flooding so severe that people
"Reports from ham radio operators and the Cayman Meteorological Service indicate that power is out throughout the island," US National Hurricane Center in Miami said.
Several building have lost roofs and water as high as five feet was flowing through many homes, reports said. Meteorologists said Ivan could gain strength as it moves towards Cuba and it eye is expected to pass over or near island western tip sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening. But its effects could be felt much earlier as hurricane winds are blowing more than 140 km away from the eye.
After Cuba, its path is not certain though Florida was taking all precaution and if it hits the State, it would be third hurricane to lash it in less than month.
Cuban news agency Prensa Latina said due to enormous size of the storm, torrential rain and strong hurricane winds are expected to lash the Isle of Youth and Pinar del Rio entire day today. Its capital Havana too is expected to be hit by heavy rains and high velocity winds.
Earlier Report: Hurricane Ivan lashes Jamaica; 37 dead
