Thread by @AFP

#BREAKING Hurricane Ian strengthens to Category 3 storm: NHC

#UPDATE Hurricane Ian has strengthened into a major Category 3 storm, the US National Hurricane Center says.

"Ian becomes a major hurricane," NHC says as the storm's winds blast at 115 miles (185 kilometers) per hour. It is expected to "soon" make landfall over western Cuba

Hurricane Ian has strengthened into a Category 3 storm, the United States National Hurricane Center says, as Cuba and Florida -- both in the storm's likely path -- ramp up preparations to deal with high winds and potential flooding

u.afp.com/ioPk

#BREAKING Hurricane Ian makes landfall in western Cuba: Institute of Meteorology

#UPDATE Hurricane Ian made landfall in western Cuba early on Tuesday, with the Caribbean nation and the US state of Florida ramping up preparations for high winds and potential flooding ▶️ u.afp.com/ioWv

#UPDATE Hurricane Ian made landfall in western Cuba early Tuesday, with the storm prompting mass evacuations and fears it will bring widespread destruction as it heads for the US state of Florida ▶️ u.afp.com/ioWv

VIDEO: 🇨🇺 Strong winds batter Cuba as #HurricaneIan hits as Category 3

High winds batter Pinar del Rio in western Cuba as the storm makes landfall. About 38,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Pinar del Rio province, according to local authorities