Hurricane Michelle Slams Cuba

Powerful Hurricane Michelle slammed into Cuba's coast on Sunday, packing winds up to 135 mph and heading toward the country's premier tourist resort as the government evacuated more than a half-million people from low-lying areas.

Heavy surf also pounded beaches in the lower Florida Keys, which forecasters say will likely be brushed by Michelle's winds after it slices crosswise through Cuba.

With forceful winds and a death toll of 12 already in Honduras, Nicaragua and Jamaica, the storm had local relief officials worried.

``We are afraid that it will be our Mitch,'' said Virginia Huergo, relief coordinator for the Cuban Red Cross, referring to the hurricane that ravaged Central America in 1998.

``We are prepared for the worst,'' she said.

The International Red Cross in Geneva reported that 24,500 Red Cross volunteers in Cuba were helping Cuban authorities in evacuation efforts. About 560,000 residents had been evacuated ¡ª mostly to the homes of friends or family ¡ª and 66,000 were in shelters.


















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