Hurricane Gustav strengthened into a major Category 3 storm on Saturday as it moved over warm Caribbean waters toward western Cuba, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Gustav strengthened into a dangerous storm Saturday, and as city officials started evacuation plans, some residents weren't waiting to be told to leave.

The difference between a monster and a wimp for Gulf of Mexico hurricanes often comes down to a patch of warm deep water. Gustav is headed right for it, reminiscent of Katrina.

Storms packing winds of up to 100 mph plowed through the Phoenix area, leaving tens of thousands without power, shutting down the airport and ripping the roof off a new college football facility.

From watertight ship doors and a 400-pound main door to exterior walls reinforced with concrete and rebar, Navy Cmdr. Robert Noguere's bayfront home is now ready for the next brutal hurricane.

Villagers were eating uncooked rice and flour mixed with polluted water in an eastern Indian state, officials said Friday, as hunger and diseases accompanied the worst floods in 50 years.