Ernesto Hits Cuba
Cuba's eastern zone is the first touched by the eye of tropical storm Ernesto, which, although weakened in the last few hours, brings extensive areas of rain.

According to the local forecast models, Ernesto entered Cuban territory by the limit zone between the southeastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo, with winds of 75 kilometers but intensive rains.

In Santiago, the government has taken all previsions for this situation.

In statements to the Cuban television, Rolando Yero, vice president of the neighborhood people's council, said that labor has been intensified in the last few hours and highlighted cooperation of people and state organizations.

Yero stated that the province has evacuated over 50,000 people. Other 87 thousand have been traslated from Guantanamo and Holguin, to the north of the eastern region of the island.

Cuban authorities estimate in 1.7 millons of people could be evacuated.