[Ronn_Bman]

Ivan's latest track shows him crossing the Western end of Cuba and running up the Gulf side of Florida.

Each forecast (NOAA updates at 11AM and 5PM daily) shows a more and more westerly turn in the next few days. Maybe good news for Florida, certainly better than a direct hit running the length of the pennisula, but not so hot for the Gulf states or the others along the Eastern Seaboard. NC, for example, suffers more death and damage from hurricanes that make landfall in the Gulf states than any others, including those that actually hit her shores. I know it sounds weird, but the most death and damage on the Eastern US Coast (north of Florida) comes from the heavy rains and flooding brought by these storms.