MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Tropical Storm Ida grew to hurricane force just off Nicaragua's coast on Thursday, forcing more than 2,000 people to flee their homes and knocking out power to some parts of the impoverished region.

The hurricane was forecast to slash into Nicaragua's Atlantic coast within hours, then cut across Honduras before emerging over open water on Saturday — a still-tentative path that could carry it near Mexico's resort of Cancun by midweek.

Ida was centered 60 miles north-northeast of coastal Bluefields early Thursday with winds of 75 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

It could dump as much as 20 inches of rain in parts as it crosses eastern Nicaragua, with the risk of flash floods and mudslides, according to the Miami-based center.

There were no immediate reports of deaths, but Nicaragua's National Civil Defense director Mario Perez said more than 2,000 people had been evacuated — 800 of those from flimsy, makeshift homes on Corn Island and nearby Little Corn Island, where strong winds damaged about 45 homes, toppled trees and knocked out power. Residents were taken to the port authority building and concrete hotels.

About 2,500 people live on the two islands, which are popular tourist destinations.