MIAMI (AP) — The National Hurricane Center in Miami says powerful Hurricane Ike has roared ashore in eastern Cuba.

The center said Ike slammed into Cuba’s Holguin province at 9:45 p.m. EDT Sunday as a dangerous Category 3 storm.

At 11 p.m. EDT, Ike’s center was located on the north coast of eastern Cuba near Cabo Lucretia, about 135 miles east of Camaguey. The hurricane center says Ike is moving to the west near 13 mph and will be near or over central Cuba later Monday as it rakes the island.

Forecasters say Ike is expected to weaken as it moves across land in the coming days before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Authorities are urging coastal dwellers along the Gulf from Florida to Mexico to monitor Ike because of its uncertain path.