Cuba struck by Hurricane Ian, leaves 1 million residents without power and streets flooded

By Paul Best

Published September 27, 2022

More than 1 million Cubans were left without power on Tuesday after Hurricane Ian struck the western tip of the country as a category 3 storm around 4:30 a.m.

Photos showed mangled power lines, smashed roofs and flooded streets as residents emerged from their homes.

Debris hang on the street as Hurricane Ian passes through Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Sept. 27, 2022. (Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini)

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A man carries his children next to debris caused by the Hurricane Ian after it passed in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Sept. 27, 2022. (Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini)

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Debris hang on the street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian's passage through Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Sept. 27, 2022. (REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini)

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A vintage car passes by debris caused by the Hurricane Ian as it passed in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Sept. 27, 2022. (REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini)

Flooded land is pictured as Hurricane Ian made landfall in Cuba's Pinar del Rio province earlier, in Consulacion del Sur, Cuba Sept. 27, 2022. (REUTERS/Stringer)

Cuba was already dealing with an economic crisis that has caused rolling blackouts throughout the country.

Western Cuba is expected to receive 6 to 12 inches of rainfall, with the potential to produce flash flooding and mudslides through Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

About 50,000 Cubans were evacuated before the storm from low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to flooding and storm surge, which was projected to be 4 to 6 feet in some areas.

Fallen electricity lines, metal and tree branches litter a street after Hurricane Ian hit Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, on Sept. 27, 2022, during the passage of hurricane Ian. (Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images)

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Thousands have had to evacuate after hurricane Ian hit Batabano, Cuba, on Sept. 27, 2022. (YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images)

People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, on Sept. 27, 2022. (YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian was in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico about 250 miles south of Sarasota, Florida, as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.

The National Hurricane Center forecast puts the storm hitting somewhere between Tampa Bay and Sarasota on Wednesday.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to Paul.Best@fox.com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.

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