Storm brings fear to wide swath of Caribbean, Florida, Gulf

UNDATED (AP) Even the possibility that Hurricane Ike could turn toward the U.S. Gulf Coast is striking real fear.

Ike has grown "extremely dangerous." The massive Category 4 storm has 135-mile-per-hour winds. And its tropical-storm-force winds extend 140 miles from its core.

Forecasters say Ike has taken a southwesterly shift that could send it over Cuba and the Florida Keys by Tuesday and then into the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has met with mayors and emergency officials. He says such storms "have a mind of their own." In New Orleans, Mayor Ray Nagin (NAY'-gin) is worried about the response of residents if Ike heads that way. He says the massive evacuation for Gustav last week has left residents tired and short of cash and says some of them might be unwilling to get out again, even if it's necessary.

As of 8 p.m. Eastern time, the National Hurricane Center said Ike was bearing down on the Turks and Caicos islands, which have already taken a beating from Tropical Storm Hanna.

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