NVDL: Ike is gradually picking up strength as forecast. The central system is virtually free of the Cuban landmass, although the storm is now large enough to cover the entire Gulf of Mexico.
Forecasters said the Category 1 storm was already strengthening over open waters after leaving Cuba and could grow into a massive Category 3 storm before slamming into Texas or northern Mexico on Saturday.
Ike has already killed at least 80 people in the Caribbean, and Texas put 7,500 National Guard members on standby and urged coastal residents to stock up on supplies.
Ike was centered about 145 miles (230 kilometers) north of the western tip of Cuba Wednesday morning and about 430 miles (695 kilometers) southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River.
It was moving northwest at 8 mph (13 kph). Maximum sustained winds remained near 85 mph (140 kph), still at Category 1 storm.
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