Ivan intensifies off Jamaica: 59 killed

Millions more people are in its path, with Ivan projected to go between the Cayman Islands, make a direct hit on Cuba and then either move into the Gulf of Mexico or hit South Florida.

"If God doesn't help us, I think this is going to be extremely tragic," said Maria del Carmen Boza, a 65-year-old resident of Cojimar, a seaside community in Cuba once frequented by Ernest Hemingway. "All of Cuba is worried. This looks like it's going to be really dangerous."

President Fidel Castro sought to assuage such concerns.

"This country is prepared to face this hurricane," Castro said Saturday night on state television, saying his government had mobilised to save lives and property.

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful, with winds of at least 155 mph and a storm surge of at least 18 feet.

At 2 a.m. EDT Sunday, Ivan was centered about 90 miles southeast of Grand Cayman and was moving west-northwest at near 8 mph. It was still packing 165 mph winds. Meteorologists expected it would be near or over the Cayman Islands on Sunday.

The storm could dump up to 1 foot of rain, possibly causing flash floods and mud slides, the Hurricane Center said.