PUERTO CABEZAS, Nicaragua Oct 30, 2005 — Thousands of Nicaraguans in boarded-up homes or shelters braced for the arrival of Hurricane Beta early Sunday after the storm steadily gathered strength overnight. The outer bands were already thrashing the mainland with heavy rains and high winds.

Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos declared a maximum "red alert" late Saturday, ordering everyone to stay inside. He said some 45,000 people from the port regions were either secured in their homes or holed up in 15 shelters provided by the government.