A HUGE search-and-rescue effort is continuing in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which left a path of destruction across the US state having already battered Cuba.

Two people are reported to have been killed in Cuba, with severe damage to the infrastructure of the island already struggling under the illegal 60-year blockade imposed by the United States.

Though the full extent of damage caused by the storm in the US is still unfolding, with the extreme weather conditions delaying emergency operations, at least 10 people are thought to have died in Florida but officials fear the toll could rise considerably over the coming days.

A number of areas remain cut off with emergency services unable to reach residents.

The hurricane is now moving inland and heading towards North and South Carolina but a blackout is still affecting around two million Florida homes and businesses.

The flood waters have been so severe they have trapped some people in their homes, officials said, with the National Guard going door to door in the city of Orlando to rescue those stranded.

The 10 deaths that have been confirmed were all in south-west Charlotte County.

Joseph Tiseo, a local commissioner, told the BBC that the area had a “tremendous wind event that lasted for 12 hours straight … it was brutal.”

He said said it was not yet clear how many of the deaths were a direct result of the hurricane.

Meanwhile Cuba has been contending with blackouts and food shortages after hurricane.

The non-profit humanitarian group Direct Relief has sent emergency and medical supplies to Havana.

The People’s Forum, a group dedicated to helping “working-class and marginalised communities to build unity across historic lines of division at home and abroad,” is accepting donations to support Cubans affected by Hurricane Ian.