Hurricane Ian forces more than 2,000 flight cancellations in US

Airlines take precautions in Florida and Disney World halts operations

Hurricane Ian entered the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday after making landfall in Cuba, leading to flight cancellations in the US. AFP

As Florida prepares to bear the brunt of Hurricane Ian, more than 2,000 flights in the US have been cancelled.

About 350 flights either into the country, inside it or leaving it were cancelled on Tuesday, data from flight-tracking website FlightAware.com showed. More than 1,700 have been cancelled for Wednesday.

Hurricane Ian entered the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday after making landfall in Cuba, and is forecast to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane.

The storm is expected to deliver winds up to 209 kilometres an hour and 60 centimetres of rain to the Tampa area of Florida into Thursday evening.

It will be the city's first direct contact with a hurricane in more than a century.

Airports in the cities of Tampa and Clearwater halted operations on Tuesday. Orlando International will cease flights on Wednesday morning.

US President Joe Biden's trip to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando was also cancelled because of the hurricane, the White House said.

Mr Biden directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure support was ready to be provided to areas of Florida so they could respond to the storm's damage, the White House said after he called the cities' mayors.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was “closely monitoring” Hurricane Ian's path.

Southwest Airlines announced it had temporarily halted operations in Havana, Cuba.

The US airline said it would stop flying from the Florida cities of Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers on Tuesday evening through to Thursday.

American Airlines has issued travel alerts for airports in the western Caribbean and Florida, which are forecast to be in Hurricane Ian's path. The carrier has also capped fares for one-way flights out of Florida.

Disney World announced on Tuesday night that its theme parks will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

“We are continuing to closely monitor Hurricane Ian and are making necessary operational adjustments to maintain the safety of our guests and cast members,” the resort said.

Fallen electricity lines, metal and tree branches litter a street after Hurricane Ian hit Pinar del Rio, Cuba. AP

A family walks in the rain after Hurricane Ian hit Pinar del Rio, Cuba. AP

Hurricane Ian wrecked parts of Pinar del Rio, before continuing towards Florida. EPA

More destruction in the Cuban province, where officials set up shelters, evacuated towns and drafted in emergency workers. AP

Residents and city workers fill sandbags at West Park in downtown Clermont, Florida, in preparation for Hurricane Ian. AP

Traffic builds along Interstate 4 in Tampa, Florida, as Hurricane Ian approaches. AP

Hurricane Ian growing stronger as it races toward Cuba. AP

On horseback in Coloma, a town through which Hurricane Ian is expected to pass, in Cuba's Pinar del Rio province. EPA

A ride in the rain in Coloma, Cuba. Reuters

Tampa, Florida. Hurricane Ian was on track to hit Florida's west coast. AP

A sign warning drivers to prepare for Hurricane Ian in St Petersburg, Florida. EPA

Follow the sign to evacuate in Gulfport. EPA

Empty shelves in the bread aisle as residents prepare for Hurricane Ian in St Petersburg, Florida. AFP

Queues to fill up cars at a Costco Wholesale shop in Orlando as Hurricane Ian approaches. AP Photo

Photographing the crashing waves as Hurricane Ian tears through George Town, Grand Cayman. AP Photo

The Artemis I unmanned lunar rocket was due to be rolled back into its hangar as Florida braced for Hurricane Ian. AFP

Waves pound the shore in Batabano, Cuba. AP Photo

Plastic provides some protection from the rain in Batabano. AP Photo

Pet rescue as a Batabano family carry a dog to a safe place. AFP

A boat is moved out of the danger zone in Havana, Cuba. AP Photo

Florida residents fill sandbags as Hurricane Ian sped towards the state. Reuters

The storm brought high winds and torrential rain. Reuters

Storm clouds gather in St Petersburg, Florida. AFP

Sandbags in front of a garage door as a flood precaution in St Pete Beach, Florida. AFP

Boarded up windows in Tampa. AFP

Florida residents Danny Aller and his wife Karen prepare for the storm. AFP

The Associated Press contributed to this report