mile-long (160-km-long) chain of islands off the state's southern tip. Shelters were opened, state parks were closed and commercial air traffic to and from Key West was halted. In Cuba, home to 11 million people, Charley's strong winds and surging seas were already affecting the Isle of Youth, off the south coast, where ferry services to mainland Cuba were suspended. Apprehensive Havana residents formed long lines at shops to buy food and water. Officials warned the city's population of two million to secure their windows, stock up with water supplies, candles and torches, and move cars away from flood-prone areas. Some 2,000 tourists and hotel workers were airlifted from the Cuban island resort of Cayo Largo (Key Largo) off the south coast, and thousands were moved from other vulnerable areas. --more 2219 Local Time 1919 GMT
