The US National Hurricane Centre says Hurricane Ike has weakened to a Category 2 storm as it moves over Cuba. More than 770,000 Cubans have evacuated to shelters or higher ground.

Tropical Storm Noel’s centre spun slowly across Cuba as the system’s outer bands dumped heavy rains on island of Hispaniola, prompting thousands to flee their homes to escape rushing floodwaters and mudslides.

The first rain from Hurricane Dennis started falling on the Florida Keys today as the storm barrelled towards the Gulf of Mexico, and forecasters warned that it might score a direct hit on the island chain.