Hurricane heads for Haiti

More than three million people in Haiti were bracing themselves today after a developing hurricane appeared to be heading for the capital.

Hurricane Gustav, upgraded from a tropical storm, continued to gain strength and was also on track to hit Cuba.

The National Hurricane Centre in Miami said the hurricane’s maximum sustained winds were near 85 mph with higher gusts.

Haitians were told to prepare for evacuations as the storm formed in the Caribbean.

Forecasts suggested Gustav’s eye could pass near the capital of Port-au-Prince, home to nearly three million people.

Cuba issued a hurricane watch for several provinces and Jamaica upgraded its tropical storm watch to a hurricane watch. A watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours.

Yesterday Carnival Cruise Lines diverted one of its ships to a Mexican port instead of Montego Bay, Jamaica, to avoid the storm. Other companies said they were closely tracking its path.

After passing over Haiti, Gustav was expected to hit Cuba’s south-eastern tip tomorrow.

The commander of the Guantanamo military base in Cuba, where the US holds about 265 suspected terrorists, ordered troops to prepare for a hit.

“We’re monitoring the track of ... Gustav and reviewing our destructive weather plans and procedures,” said a spokesman.

Haitians were told to stay on alert for evacuations and to avoid crossing flooded rivers, the cause of nearly all 23 deaths on the greater island of Hispaniola during Tropical Storm Fay earlier this month.

The agricultural ministry, already dealing with a food crisis and fighting to raise national production, advised farmers to put livestock in safe locations. All maritime activities also were suspended until further notice.

Dominican authorities also issued warnings and advised small boats to remain in port, even on the north side of the island of 17 million people.