On August 17 a tropical storm watch was issued for Cuba between the provinces of Camagüey and Guantánamo. This was upgraded on the afternoon of August 18 to a tropical storm warning. At 0300 UTC August 19 a tropical storm watch was issued for portions of central Cuba: Ciego de Ávila, Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, and Isla de la Juventud. Had it been necessary, soldiers and emergency officials were prepared to convert schools and other government buildings into temporary shelters. More than 350,000 people were evacuated by the Civil Defense in the coastal provinces, and the government in Havana suspended all tourist programs ahead of the storm.