Authorities yesterday ordered residents of the Florida Keys to evacuate as winds and rain from Hurricane Michelle started to lash the island chain.
Residents were urged to get on the road as soon as possible to avoid being trapped - but in typical Keys' style, many of the 80,000 residents appeared to be preparing to ride out the storm.
All airlines ceased flights in and out of the Keys from noon yesterday, emergency officials said. On mainland south Florida, residents were also making preparations for the expected strong winds and rains, and were stocking up on water, canned food, batteries and plywood to fabricate storm shutters.
The area is not expected to take a direct hit from Michelle.
Cuba, however, where many Floridians have relatives, was likely to take a serious beating.
Michelle has been described by experts as an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane.