Anticipating the storm, about 10, 000 Cubans evacuated Saturday to Cuba's mainland from La Isla de Juventud, or Isle of Youth, a province south of the nation's western end.

CNN: Hurricane Gustav churns into Gulf

And now Ike, this storm is likely to follow a very similar course to Gustav, again running over the Isle of Youth that was barren soil virtually, and the western part of the nation where they grow this very fine tobacco that got wet.

NPR: Hurricanes Wreak Havoc In Haiti And Cuba