Hurricane Ian knocked out the power supply throughout all of Cuba, leaving its whole population of 11 million in the darkbefore heading to Florida.
Power was initially cut for one million people in the western provinces, but later the entire grid collapsed as violent winds reached 125 mph.
Two people were reported dead and buildings were damaged nationwide.
The Category 3 storm devastated the Pinar del Rio province, destroying some of the most important tobacco farms in a country already struggling with the economic crisis.
Florida is now bracing for similar catastrophic impact from Hurricane Ian and some 2.5 million people have been ordered to evacuate.
The National Hurricane Centre said this morning it has strengthened into an ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 4 hurricane.
Homes and businesses have been barricaded with sandbags while the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and water parks have also shut for the next two days.
There are warning of widespread catastrophic flash, urban, and river flooding across central Florida.
Mayor Michael Udine said on Twitter an apparent tornado had also passed over a section of the North Perry Airport resulting in significant damage to aircrafts.
Residents in Florida are now anxiously bracing for ‘life-threatening’ tidal surges, floods and winds after watching the damage Hurricane Ian caused in Cuba.
‘It was apocalyptic, a real disaster,’ said Hirochi Robaina, owner of the Cuban farm that bears his name and that his grandfather made known internationally.
Officials had actually established 55 shelters, left 50,000 individuals, and took actions to safeguard crops, specifically tobacco.
‘Being in the hurricane was terrible for me, but we are here alive,’ stated Pinar del Rio citizen Yusimi Palacios, who asked authorities for a roofing system and a bed mattress.
The typhoon is anticipated to get back at more powerful over the Gulf of Mexico, reaching leading winds of 130 miles per hour approaching the southwestern coast of Florida.
Forecasts state the eye will come ashore in the state later on today.
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