Florida prepares for hurricane as tropical storm Ian grows over Caribbean

Florida residents on Saturday were bracing for a heavy tropical storm that weather experts warn could become a major hurricane.

Tropical storm Ian is poised to intensify into a hurricane within a few days after forming on Friday over the southern Caribbean. The storm could cross over into parts of Cuba before heading to Florida by the middle of next week, according to forecasts.

The Cayman Islands issued a hurricane watch on Friday because of Ian, with Jamaica under a tropical storm watch, the New York Times reported.

Flash flooding and mudslides could also occur in areas with higher terrain due to heavy rainfall, with up to 10in expected in parts of Cuba and up to eightforecasted in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Weather forecasters are worried that the storm could strengthen quickly since it has access to a large supply of deep, warm water in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Washington Post reports.

Gas has also reportedly run out in some areas as people prepare for the hurricane threat.

Events have been cancelled as the storm approaches.

Nasa announced on Saturday via Twitter that it would delay the launch of the Artemis I mission scheduled for 27 September due to the weather.