Florida storm warning as Cubans remain stranded

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.

Meanwhile, a tropical storm warning was issued early today for the Florida Keys, which have been under an evacuation order ahead of Ike’s expected arrival tomorrow.

As of 9am (Irish time), Ike had maximum sustained winds near 105mph. And forecasters expect further weakening as the hurricane moves over central Cuba today.

Ike is centred about 40 miles east-southeast of Camaguey, Cuba, and moving west near at 15mph.

The hurricane is forecast to make landfall next weekend between the Florida Panhandle and Texas – with New Orleans again in the crosshairs.