Hurricane Isidore heads toward western tip of Cuba and Gulf of Mexico

HAVANA (AP) -- Hurricane Isidore buffeted Cuba's small Isle of Youth with strong winds and drenching rains early Friday as it moved slowly toward the western tip of the main island and the Gulf of Mexico.

Activating its civil defense program as Isidore approached, the communist government asked tens of thousands of people to move to safer areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

President Fidel Castro said Cuba would likely not suffer as much as had been expected.

Still relatively weak, Isidore was expected to strengthen and drench Cuba's western half through the weekend.