Hurricane Paula battering Cuba's western coast

Hurricane Paula battering Cuba's western coast

2010-10-14 19:07:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

MIAMI (BNO NEWS) -- Warnings were in effect on Thursday as hurricane Paula, the ninth hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic Season, continues to move toward Cuba's western coast bringing heavy rains and high winds.

As of 7 a.m. CDT (1200 UTC), the center of Hurricane Paula was located 70 kilometers (45 miles) west of Puerto Esperanza, Cuba, or about 215 kilometers (135 miles) west of Havana, said the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, La Habana and Ciudad de la Habana. Additionally, a tropical storm watch is in effect for the Florida Keys from Craig Key westward, including the Dry Tortugas.

Hurricane Paula has maximum sustained winds of 120 km/hr (75 mph). "These winds are confined to a very small area near the center," said the Miami-based center. Paula is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm later on Thursday.

The hurricane is moving toward the northeast near 7 km/hr (5 mph) and a turn toward the east-northeast and east is expected later on Thursday. On this track, Paula will continue to move along the north coast or over western Cuba.

The NHC said hurricane force winds extend outward up to 20 km (10 miles) from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85 km (50 miles). The weather station located in the western tip of Cuba recently reported a 97 km/hr (60 mph) wind gust.

The hurricane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 6 inches (7 to 15 centimeters), with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches (25 centimeters) possible, over portions of western and central Cuba.

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