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Hurricane Isidore nears Cuba
MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Bringing a deluge of rain, Hurricane Isidore strengthened early Friday as it neared western Cuba, including the Isle of Youth, the National Hurricane Center said. Isidore gained strength Thursday to become the second hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a news release. At 2 a.m. EDT Friday, the center of Hurricane Isidore was located about 30 miles south of the southern part of the Isle of Youth, or 140 miles south-southwest of Havana.. Over the next 24 hours, the storm is expected to continue moving west-northwest at near 8 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph, with higher gusts, forecasters said. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 145 miles. Heavy rain -- up to 20 to 30 inches -- can be expected over portions of western Cuba over the next two to three days, NOAA said. Coastal storm surge flooding of eight to 10 feet above normal tide levels, and large and dangerous waves can be expected near and to the east of where the center makes landfall. The government of Cuba has discontinued all watches and warnings east of Matanzas. A hurricane warning remains in effect for the western Cuba provinces of Matanzas, Ciudad de La Habana, La Habana and Pinar del Rio, including the Isle of Youth. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Cayman Islands. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the lower Florida Keys, west of the Seven Mile Bridge, including the Dry Tortugas. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.
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