Two million told to flee hurricane

Hurricane Charley gathered strength and advanced toward Florida today where officials in Tampa urged almost two million people to evacuate and avoid the path of a storm that could submerge parts of the city.

Charley’s expected 120 mph winds and massive storm surge could devastate the heavily populated Gulf Coast region, with waterfront apartment towers and vulnerable mobile homes in danger.

The storm made landfall on Cuba shortly after midnight, battering Havana with high winds and heavy rains. There were no reports of fatalities or major damage, but authorities there reported ripped roofs and downed trees.

Charley’s centre was expected to pass west of the Florida Keys today before hitting the Tampa Bay area later in the day, dumping heavy rain and possibly spawning sporadic tornadoes, said Hugh Cobb, a meteorologist at the National Hurricane Centre.

About 6.5 million of Florida’s 17 million residents were in Charley’s projected path.

“It does have the potential of devastating impact. … This is a scary, scary thing,” said Governor Jeb Bush, who had declared an emergency across the state.

State meteorologist Ben Nelson said the surge could reach up to 16 feet in the Tampa area if Charley hits at 120 mph, making it a major hurricane at Category 3 strength.

About 1.9 million people from the Florida Keys north through the west coast have been advised to evacuate, although many will stay in their homes, said Kristy Campbell, spokeswoman at the state emergency management centre. It was estimated that 1.1 to 1.5 million will be leaving their homes ahead of the storm, she said.

At 1300 Irish time the hurricane was in the Florida Straits, 75 miles from Key West.