Ernesto Slams Haiti, Heads for Cuba

Winds of up to 75 miles per hour slammed Haiti yesterday, killing one person, as Hurricane Ernesto moved westward through the Caribbean. Ernesto weakened to a tropical storm as it passed over Haiti on Sunday morning, but could regain strength as it slides over the warm ocean waters toward Cuba.

Hurricane warnings are in effect in the six eastern provinces of Cuba, and a hurricane watch was issued for much of Florida; the Florida Keys were ordered evacuated.

Tropical storm warnings have been posted for the central Bahamas and Jamaica, and Caribbean cruise lines have been diverting their ships around the storm. As of Monday morning, Ernesto was about 50 miles southeast of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and moving northwest at about 12 miles per hour.

For more information on Ernesto and how it might affect your travel plans, see the National Hurricane Center website. For tips on planning a storm-free vacation, see my Caribbean Weather Planner.