The Navy evacuated 700 staff and family members from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Sunday, as Hurricane Matthew nears the Caribbean.
The nonessential personnel are being air-lifted off the island to a “safe haven” Florida, said Navy Capt. David Culpepper in a Radio Gitmo broadcast on Saturday, according to the Miami Herald.
There are about 5,500 residents living at Guantanamo Bay, as well as 61 terror suspects being held at the prison. There were no plans announced to move the prisoners.
Matthew is currently a Category 4 Hurricane, which the U.S. government classifies as a “major” storm with dangerous sustained winds between 130-156 mph and rain. According to weather forecasts, Matthew is tracking northward into the Caribbean, and is expected to hit Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba by Tuesday. Forecasters then predict Matthew could hit eastern Florida.
