(NBC News) - Residents of south Florida are keeping a wary eye on Hurricane Ike.

Ike came ashore in eastern Cuba with devastating force.

Its huge storm surge crashed over buildings, filling the streets and wiping out much of what stood in its way.

Not far to the north Key West is watching closely

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Keys.

Many businesses spent the day boarding up, but with Ike now headed south of Cuba, officials canceled evacuation orders and many residents decided to stay home.

Still, officials urged residents to stay inside during the storm

While the Keys now brace to see how bad things will get, residents of the Gulf Coast are once again fearing the worst.

Ike is expected to enter the gulf later this week, putting residents from Texas to Florida in the line of fire.