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LATEST NEWS: Tropical Storm Fay
By
WINK News and The Associated Press
Story Created:
Aug 16, 2008 at 12:43 PM EST
Story Updated:
Aug 23, 2008 at 5:10 PM EST
SATURDAY 8/23/2008 6:00PM
Tropical Storm not done yet, threatens Gulf cities
APALACHICOLA, Fla. - Fay just won't quit.
The tropical storm that set a record with four landfalls in Florida chugged west across the Gulf Coast on Saturday and cities from Pensacola to New Orleans prepared for several inches of rain.
Proving that a slow-moving tropical storm can be as deadly and damaging as a hurricane, Fay killed at least 11 people in Florida, emergency officials said.
Thousands of homes and businesses were inundated with flood waters this week as the storm worked its way north from its first
landfall in the Florida Keys and zigzagged across the peninsula.
Fay's center made its fourth landfall around 1 a.m. EDT Saturday about 15 miles north-northeast of Apalachicola, according to the National Hurricane Center. While the landfall was mostly uneventful in that area, bands of heavy rain and high winds comprising the eastern half of the storm pelted inland areas.
Rains and strong wind gusts blitzed Tallahassee, the state capital, for more than 24 hours, knocking down trees and power lines and cutting electricity to more than 12,000 customers, city officials said.
At 5 p.m. EDT, the storm's center was about 55 miles east of Pensacola and 105 miles east of Mobile, Ala., and was moving west about 7 mph. Forecasters said they expected Fay to remain a tropical storm through Saturday and weaken the longer it remained over land.
Warnings and watches west of the Alabama-Mississippi border were discontinued, but a tropical storm warning remained for the northeastern Gulf Coast from Suwanee River, Fla., west to the
Alabama-Mississippi border.
As winds picked up and skies darkened along Pensacola Beach, Alex Davis took his morning jog. The longtime beach resident said he wasn't too worried.
"I doubt we'll see any flooding out here. The wind is starting to sting a little but that's about it," he said.
"This won't be much at all. If a storm doesn't have a category in front of it doesn't worry us much," said Tamara Josey, who watched Fay's approach from the parking lot of a beach condominium complex in Pensacola.
The 11 people killed in the storm in Florida brings the death toll from Fay to 23. Thirteen died in Haiti and the Dominican Republic from flooding.
Fay's wake caused widespread flooding along Florida's east coast, especially in Jacksonville near the storm's third landfall.
The Office of Insurance Regulation reported Saturday that roughly 6,700 homeowners filed claims, although only some were because of flooding. That number was expected to change, and Gov. Charlie Crist has asked the federal government to declare the worst-hit areas major disaster areas.
FRIDAY 8/22/2008 6:00PM
On the 5th day of Fay, cleanup begins in Florida
STEINHATCHEE, Fla. - As Tropical Storm Fay finally got on track Friday to make its way out of Florida, flood-stricken homeowners got an encouraging sign: Muddy brown water lines began appearing on the sides of homes, a clue that floodwaters were receding.
The fickle storm carved a dizzying path that included three separate landfalls dumped more than two feet of rain in some places. But to the relief of Floridians, it was finally expected to veer west over the Panhandle before leaving for good later this weekend.
Officials in Melbourne, one of the hardest-hit areas on the central Atlantic coast, carried boats down streets where just a day earlier 4 feet of water made roads look like rivers. Water several feet high remained in some neighborhoods, but most of the area had drained, leaving behind a half-inch layer of muck and mud.
Tens of thousands of people from Melbourne to Jacksonville to Gainesville were still without electricity, and residents of Florida's storm-stricken Atlantic coast faced a weekend of cleanup after chest-high flooding. Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said so far nearly 4,000 flood claims from Fay had been filed.
On Friday, Crist asked the White House to elevate the disaster declaration President Bush issued Thursday to a major disaster declaration.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Florida's Gulf Coast, from Aripeka in Hernando County to Destin, though a warning from Flagler Beach on the Atlantic Coast north was canceled. A tropical storm watch is still in effect from west of Destin to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
Fay has been an unusual storm, even by Florida standards. It set sights on the state last Sunday and first made landfall in the Florida Keys on Monday. The storm then headed out over open water again before hitting a second time near Naples on the southwest coast. It limped across the state, popped back out into the Atlantic Ocean and struck again near Flagler Beach on the central coast. It was the first storm in almost 50 years to make three landfalls in the state, as most hit and exit within a day or two.
FRIDAY 8/22/2008 4:00PM
State puts Fay death toll at 7 in Florida
Information from The Associated Press.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida officials are blaming Tropical Storm Fay for seven deaths.
Four were in traffic accidents on slick roads, two were from drowning and one was carbon monoxide poisoning.
Two died in Duval County accidents, a 16-year-old girl Wednesday and a 44-year-old man Thursday.
A 43-year-old man died Wednesday in Indian River County when his car hit a pole.
Two women drowned in heavy surf Thursday, a 21-year-old in Duval and a 35-year-old in Volusia County.
Officials are also counting two deaths Saturday, before the storm's center first hit the state. One was a 42-year old woman killed in a Palm Beach County wreck. The other was a 54-year-old man who died from carbon monoxide while testing generators.
FRIDAY 8/22/2008 11:00AM
Death toll at 5 as Fay pours more rain on Florida
Information from The Associated Press.
MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay hobbled across Florida for a fifth day Friday as the state's death toll rose to five, while residents began plodding through muddy water to assess the flood damage to their homes.
Fay has dumped more than two feet of rain along parts of Florida's low-lying central Atlantic coast and was making its third pass through the state in a week. Before Fay crosses the Panhandle over the weekend, it could bring four to eight inches in some areas.
State officials tallied storm casualties Friday, saying three people died in traffic accidents in the heavy rain and two others drowned in surf kicked up by the storm. Overall, the storm has been blamed for 28 deaths, most in the Caribbean. A man also died in Florida days before the storm while testing generators.
A 16-year-old girl died in Duval County when her car collided with an SUV after spinning on wet pavement Wednesday. A 44-year-old was killed when his truck rolled while going around a curve on a rain-soaked road Thursday, and a 43-year-old man died Wednesday in Indian River County when his vehicle spun and hit a traffic light post.
Two swimmers drowned in heavy surf Thursday on the Atlantic coast, a 21-year-old woman in Duval and a 35-year-old woman in Volusia County.
President Bush issued a federal disaster declaration Thursday for the affected parts of Florida, as hundreds of residents fled floodwaters that drove alligators and snakes out of their habitats and into streets.
At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of the storm was located about 45 miles northeast of Cedar Key with sustained winds weakening slightly to near 45 mph. National Hurricane Center meteorologists say isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of northeastern Florida, southern Georgia and southern South Carolina.
Friday morning, officials in Melbourne carried boats down streets where just a day earlier 4 feet of water made roads look like rivers. About 150 people in Brevard county were evacuated by authorities; 100 others left their homes voluntarily.
Water as high as several feet still remained in some parts of this neighborhood, but most of the area had drained, leaving behind a half-inch thick layer of muck and mud. One resident stood in his driveway boiling coffee on a propane grill.
Power outages plagued the area. As of 6:15 a.m. Friday, Jacksonville Electric Authority reported 66,000 customers without power.
The storm first made landfall in the Florida Keys earlier this week, then headed out over open water again before hitting a second time near Naples. It then advanced slowly across the state, popped back out into the Atlantic Ocean and struck again.
A tropical storm warning was posted for the Gulf coast of Florida from Aripeka in Hernando County to Indian Pass, and a tropical storm watch is also in effect from west of Indian Pass to Destin. There also was still a tropical storm warning on the Atlantic Coast from Sebastian Inlet, Fla., north to the Savannah River on the border between Georgia and South Carolina.
FRIDAY 8/22/2008 8:00AM
Death toll at 5 as Fay pours more rain on Florida
Information from The Associated Press.
MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay hobbled across Florida for a fifth day Friday as the death toll from the lingering storm rose to five in the state.
Fay has dumped more than two feet of rain along parts of Florida's low-lying central Atlantic coast and was making its third pass through the state, nearing Cedar Key on the state's northwest coast with sustained winds weakening slightly to near 45 mph.
State officials tallied storm casualties Friday, saying three people died in traffic accidents in the heavy rain and two others drowned in surf kicked up by the storm. A sixth person died of carbon monoxide poisoning while testing generators just before the storm.
Before Fay crosses the Panhandle over the weekend, it could bring four to eight inches in some areas, forecasters said.
President Bush issued a federal disaster declaration Thursday for the affected parts of Florida, as hundreds of residents fled floodwaters that drove alligators and snakes out of their habitats and into streets.
Friday morning, officials in Melbourne carried boats down streets where just a day earlier 4 feet of water made roads look like rivers. About 150 people in Brevard county were evacuated by authorities; 100 others left their homes voluntarily.
Water as high as several feet still remained in some parts of this neighborhood, but most of the area had drained, leaving behind a half-inch thick layer of muck and mud.
At 8 a.m., the storm's center was just west of Gainesville, about 60 miles northeast of Cedar Key and moving west near 6 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Its maximum sustained winds had decreased to near 45 mph from near 50 mph a few hours earlier and it was forecast to gradually weaken, while staying above the tropical storm threshold of 39 mph into Saturday.
The storm first made landfall in the Florida Keys earlier this week, then headed out over open water again before hitting a second time near Naples. It then advanced slowly across the state, popped back out into the Atlantic Ocean and struck again.
A tropical storm warning was posted for the Gulf coast of Florida from Aripeka in Hernando County to Indian Pass, and a tropical storm watch is also in effect from west of Indian Pass to Destin.
There's also still a tropical storm warning on the Atlantic Coast from Sebastian Inlet, Fla., north to the Savannah River on the border between Georgia and South Carolina.
THURSDAY 8/21/2008 5:00PM
Woman drowns in surf at Neptune Beach
Information from The Associated Press.
NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Officials say an Indiana tourist drowned after swimming in rough Atlantic Ocean waters churned by Tropical Storm Fay in North Florida.
Neptune Beach Police Chief David Sembach says the 21-year-old woman and two of her male friends went swimming in the rough surf about 12:30 p.m. Thursday. He said all three were quickly in trouble.
The men tried to help the woman but were unable to save her, though they made it back to shore. Their names are being withheld pending family notifications.
One of the men was taken to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for non-life threatening injuries.
Neptune Beach is east of Jacksonville.
THURSDAY 8/21/2008 4:00PM
Federal emergency in Florida because of Fay
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - President Bush has declared a federal state of emergency in Florida to help with Tropical Storm Fay.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist asked the White House yesterday for the declaration. It enables federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to come in and help.
Fay has soaked Florida for four days, never gaining hurricane intensity but dumping dozens of inches of rain in some areas.
Severe flooding on Florida's middle Atlantic Coast is being reported, and some people had to be taken by boat away from their homes.
Crist had asked for the declaration in 22 Florida counties.
THURSDAY 8/21/2008 11:00AM
Tropical Storm Fay forces more evacuations in Florida
Information from The Associated Press.
MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) - Torrential rains from a slow-moving Tropical Storm Fay have triggered a new round of flooding, submerging roads and forcing dozens of people to flee the rising water in their homes.
With Fay hugging Florida's northeast Atlantic coast, police and National Guard troops were evacuating people from flood areas in the barrier island town of Merritt Island, where lakes were overflowing into houses. People were also being evacuated from a mobile home community in Melbourne.
At 11 a.m. EDT, the storm's center was essentially stalled, located about 15 miles east-southeast of Daytona Beach. It was expected to begin slowly moving toward the west-northwest later in the day, bringing heavy rains to northern Florida and southern Georgia.
WEDNESDAY 8/20/2008 5:00PM
Gov. Crist asks for emergency disaster declaration
Information from The Associated Press.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Charlie Crist is requesting an emergency disaster declaration from the federal government to help pay the costs of Tropical Storm Fay.
Crist issued his own disaster order ahead of the advancing storm several days ago, when it seemed the Florida Keys would get the worst. Instead, Fay skipped almost harmlessly over the island chain, but has stalled over the central Florida coast. That's where it's done the most damage.
Today, officials say hundreds of homes were flooded in Brevard and St. Lucie counties, some by up to 5 feet of standing water. In three towns, rising waters backed up sewage systems.
It wasn't immediately clear how many residents had been displaced or were stranded, but county officials reported making dozens of rescues.
WEDNESDAY 8/20/2008 2:00PM
Tropical Storm Fay floods hundreds of Florida homes
Information from The Associated Press.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Hundreds of central Florida homes flooded Wednesday as Tropical Storm Fay drenched the state for a third consecutive day. Forecasters warned the waters could worsen because the storm had stubbornly stalled.
The storm could dump 30 inches of rain in some areas of Florida and the National Hurricane Center said up to 22 inches had already fallen near Melbourne, just south of Cape Canaveral on the state's central Atlantic coast.
Forecasters had originally expected Fay to energize over the ocean and possibly become a hurricane. But the storm's center remained just inland early Wednesday and forecasters said it might not go over the water until the afternoon.
The storm remained near Cape Canaveral at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, not having moved much in several hours. Its maximum sustained winds were back up to about 50 mph and it was expected to resume slowly moving north later Wednesday.
The storm hit the Florida Keys on Monday, veered over the Gulf and then traversed east across the state Tuesday on a path that would have taken it over the Atlantic before it curved toward the Florida-Georgia border. It was welcome in rain-starved croplands.
In Duval County, which surrounds Jacksonville, officials prepared shelters, cleared drainage areas that could flood and readied emergency response teams. Public schools canceled Wednesday and Thursday classes, and mobile home residents were encouraged to find sturdier shelter.
In southeast Georgia, Camden County public works crews cleaned storm drains and ditches in preparation for possible flooding. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency also began 24-hour operations Tuesday afternoon to monitor the storm.
Fay formed over the weekend in the Atlantic and was blamed for 20 deaths in the Caribbean before hitting Florida's southwest coast, where it fell short of predictions it could be a Category 1 hurricane when it came ashore.
The storm flooded streets in Naples, downed trees and cut power to some 95,000 homes and businesses in South Florida on Monday. Tornadoes spawned by the storm damaged 51 homes in Brevard County, southeast of Orlando, including nine homes that were totaled.
WEDNESDAY 8/20/2008 11:00AM
Tropical Storm Fay hugs Florida's Atlantic coast
Information from The Associated Press.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay meandered north along the Florida Atlantic coast today but did not immediately head out over the ocean, lessening the chances it will gain strength and become a hurricane.
Northern Florida and much of Georgia are expecting a long drenching, which some farmers hope will boost crops hurt by a lingering drought.
The storm was near Cape Canaveral at 11 a.m. Its maximum sustained winds were back up to about 50 mph and it was moving north at about 3 mph.
A hurricane watch was discontinued for parts of north Florida and Georgia, but a tropical storm warning was extended, covering an area from Fort Pierce to Altamaha Sound in Georgia.
WEDNESDAY 8/20/2008 8:00AM
Tropical Storm Fay hugs Florida's Atlantic coast
Information from The Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay meandered north along the Florida Atlantic coast Wednesday but did not immediately head out over the ocean, lessening the chances it will gain strength and become a hurricane.
Northern Florida and much of Georgia are expecting a long drenching, which some farmers hope will boost crops hurt by a lingering drought.
There were no new reports of damage Wednesday and only minor street flooding in the Melbourne area, where Fay was predicted to dump between 5 and 10 inches of rain.
The storm hit the Florida Keys on Monday, veered over the Gulf and then traversed east across the state Tuesday on a path that would have taken it over the Atlantic before it curved toward the Florida-Georgia border.
Forecasters had originally expected the storm to get a dose of energy when it moved over the ocean and possibly become a hurricane. But the storm's center remained just inland early Wednesday and forecasters said it may not go over the water until the afternoon. The chances of Fay becoming a hurricane were shrinking, the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm was near Cape Canaveral at 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, about 15 miles south of Cape Canaveral. Its maximum sustained winds had dropped to 45 mph from near 50 mph and it was moving north at about 5 mph.
And while forecasters warned rainfall from the storm could just as easily be catastrophic as benign, farmers in drought-plagued areas were cautiously optimistic.
National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Letro said it's possible southern Georgia could receive 10 to 20 inches of rain - enough to cause severe flooding - if it makes a second landfall.
"I know people hate drought, but when you're talking about a tropical cyclone relieving drought conditions, be careful what you wish for," said Letro, the chief meteorologist in Jacksonville, Fla.
In Duval County, which surrounds Jacksonville, officials prepared shelters, cleared drainage areas that could flood and readied emergency response teams. Public schools canceled Wednesday and Thursday classes, and mobile home residents were encouraged to find sturdier shelter.
A National Hurricane Center forecast late Tuesday projected that the storm's path would take it through Alabama over the weekend. However, projections varied widely, prompting some in South Carolina to hope for crop-sating rain.
Fay formed over the weekend in the Atlantic and was blamed for 20 deaths in the Caribbean before hitting Florida's southwest coast, where it fell short of predictions it could be a Category 1 hurricane when it came ashore.
The storm flooded streets in Naples, downed trees and cut power to some 95,000 homes and businesses in South Florida. The worst of the storm's wrath appeared to be 51 homes hit by a tornado in Brevard County, southeast of Orlando, including nine homes that were totaled.
Two injuries were reported in the Brevard County tornado, and a kitesurfer who was caught in a gust of wind Monday was critically injured when he slammed into a building in front of the beach near Fort Lauderdale. Kevin Kearney, 28, was still in critical condition Tuesday, Broward General Medical Center officials and his family said.
TUESDAY 8/19/2008 7:00PM
Fay hits Florida, strengthens as it moves inland
Information from the Associated Press
NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay rolled ashore in southwestern Florida on Tuesday without much fanfare, but stubbornly hung around like an unwelcome houseguest, gaining power and threatening - once again - to become a hurricane.
The storm first hit the Florida Keys, veered out to sea and then traversed east across the state on a path that would curve it toward to the Florida-Georgia border. The failure of Fay to weaken meant a whole new swath of the state had to prepare for a worse storm, and meant Florida could wind up getting hit three separate times.
"This storm is going to be with us for a while. That's obvious now. It looks it could be a boomerang storm," Gov. Charlie Crist said at a news conference.
Earlier in the day, it had appeared that Fay would simply peter out and perhaps bring nothing but heavy rains to the southeastern United States. But by late Tuesday, a hurricane watch was posted for parts of north Florida and Georgia as Fay seemed to be resurrected by the flat, swampy Everglades, increasing the chances it could still end up strengthening into a hurricane. Its top sustained winds increased during the day by 5 mph to 65 mph. A hurricane has winds of at least 74 mph.
At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of the storm was about 60 miles south-southwest of Melbourne and was moving north-northeast near 8 mph.
Tropical storms and hurricanes do occasionally strengthen while over land, said Eric Blake, a specialist at the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters are not certain why it is occurring with Fay, but the Everglades' ample warm water might have given it just the dose of energy it needs.
Fay formed over the weekend in the Atlantic and was blamed for 14 deaths in the Carribean before hitting Florida.
Though it flooded streets in Naples, downed trees and plunged some 95,000 homes and businesses in the dark, most Floridians thought they had dodged a bullet. The worst of the storm's wrath appeared to be 51 homes hit by a tornado in Brevard County, southeast of Orlando. Nine of the homes were totaled, said said Brevard County Emergency Operations Center spokesman David Waters.
Two injuries were reported in the Brevard County tornado, and a kitesurfer who was caught in a gust of wind Monday was critically injured when he slammed into a building in front of the beach near Fort Lauderdale. Kevin Kearney, 28, was still in critical condition Tuesday, Broward General Medical Center officials and his family said.
The storm's surprising path came after Florida officials pulled off all the stops to get ready, prompting some grousing among state residents that they had overrreacted to what was expected to be a minor storm. Crist declared a state of emergency two days before the storm even arrived, schools closed well in advance of the rain and 25,000 tourists in the Florida Keys were told to pack up their beach blankets and go home.
State officials defended the preparations Tuesday, and National Guard troops and storm supplies remained in reserve if needed.
Flooding remained a concern as Fay heads up the Florida peninsula, with rainfall amounts forecast between 5 and 15 inches. The storm could also push tides 1 to 3 feet above normal and spawn tornadoes. Counties in the storm's path called off school for Wednesday and opened shelters.
TUESDAY 8/19/2008 11:00AM
Fay hits Florida, but doesn't become hurricane
Information from The Associated Press.
NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay moved inland today after making landfall in southwest Florida, never growing into the hurricane that forecasters had cautioned it could become.
At 11 a.m. Eastern, the center of the Atlantic hurricane season's sixth named storm was about 30 miles east of Fort Myers and was moving north-northeast near 9 miles-per-hour, with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles-per-hour expected to gradually weaken through the day. It could strengthen slightly once it crosses Florida to the Atlantic and gets over water again.
Forecasts for most of Monday had predicted a slight chance Fay would bring hurricane winds, which start at 74 miles-per-hour, but that didn't happen.
Flooding remains a concern as Fay heads up the Florida peninsula, with rainfall amounts forecast between 5 and 10 inches. The storm could also push tides 1 to 3 feet above normal and spawn tornadoes.
TUESDAY 8/19/2008 8:00AM
Fay comes ashore in Florida as storm, no hurricane
Information from The Associated Press.
NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay moved inland Tuesday after making landfall in Southwest Florida, bringing soaking rains and gusty winds but failing to reach the minimal hurricane status that had been predicted.
Streets were largely deserted in the early morning hours in Naples. Rain swept across desolate streets that were littered with palm fronds and other minor debris, and there was street flooding in spots but no immediate reports of storm surge damage.
At 8 a.m. EDT, the storm's center was located about 30 miles southeast of Fort Myers and was moving toward the northeast, with maximum winds of 60 mph expected to gradually weaken through the day.
Flooding remained a major concern as Fay heads up the Florida peninsula, with rainfall amounts forecast between 4 and 10 inches. The storm could also push tides 3 to 5 feet above normal and spawn tornadoes.
With no major Florida hurricanes in the past two years, officials were worried complacency could cost lives as they repeatedly urged people across the state to take Fay seriously. But no storm-related deaths or injuries have been reported.
Florida Power & Light reported nearly 33,000 homes without power in South Florida early Tuesday, the largest number in Collier County, where 12,500 were in the dark.
After crossing the Florida Keys without causing major damage Monday, Fay lumbered ashore about 5 a.m. Tuesday at Cape Romano, just south of Naples, with sustained winds of about 60 mph. That's well below the hurricane threshold of 74 mph. Cape Romano is the same spot where Hurricane Wilma, a Category 3 storm, made landfall in October 2005.
Southwest Florida International Airport near Fort Myers operated normally Monday, but airlines postponed about 140 flights Tuesday until evening hours, spokeswoman Victoria Moreland said.
Warnings to people to take precautions were issued as Fay spread rain and sent wind gusts of up to 51 mph over the Keys on Monday.
The state took every step to make sure it was prepared. National Guard troops were at the ready and more were waiting in reserve, and 20 truckloads of tarps, 200 truckloads of water and 52 truckloads of food were available for distribution.
As it moved though the Caribbean, Fay was blamed for at least 14 deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, including two babies who were found in a river after a bus crash.
TUESDAY 8/19/2008 7:00AM
Tropical Storm Fay in Southwest Florida
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - Tropical Storm Fay made landfall in Southwest Florida early Tuesday, bringing soaking rains and gusty winds. Fay never achieved hurricane status.
Scattered power outages were reported early Tuesday including 5,800 customers on upscale Marco Island.
After crossing the Florida Keys without causing major damage Monday, Fay lumbered ashore about 5 a.m. Tuesday at Cape Romano, just south of Naples, with sustained winds of about 60 mph. That's well below hurricane threshold of 74 mph. Cape Romano is the same spot where Hurricane Wilma, a Category 3 storm, made landfall in October 2005.
TUESDAY 8/19/2008 5:15AM
Fay is making landfall at Cape Romano at 5 am. All hurricane warnings are discontinued. A tropical storm warning is in effect along the west coast of Florida from the middle of Longboat Key southward and along the east coast of Florida from Flagler beach southward including Lake Okeechobee and for the Florida Keys from ocean reef to the west end of the seven mile bridge including Florida bay. All tropical storm warnings elsewhere are discontinued.
A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the Florida east coast north of Flagler beach to Fernandina beach.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas.
Fay is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph...15 km/hr and this motion is expected to continue today taking the center of Fay across the Florida peninsula. A decrease in forward speed and a turn to the north is expected on Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Slow weakening is expected as Fay moves inland.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from the center.
Fay is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches with maximum storm total amounts of 10 inches across the southern and east-central Florida peninsula. Accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are possible in the northwestern Bahamas.
Storm tides of 3 to 5 feet above normal are possible along the southwestern coast of Florida near the center of Fay. Tides of 2 to 4 ft above normal are possible in the Florida Keys.
Isolated tornadoes are possible today over southern and central Florida.
TUESDAY 8/19/2008 5:00AM
Tropical storm Fay has moved onto the southwest Florida coast between Marco Island and Chokoloskee.
The coast inland from route 29 west to the coast and northward across alligator alley can expect very gusty strong tropical storm force winds of 40 to 50 mph, which can down small tree limbs and branches and blow around unsecured small objects.
Very heavy rains will fall possibly up to 1 to 2 inches an hour with flooding possible across southwest Collier County.
Also, this will be an environment favorable for tornadoes.
A tornado watch remains in effect for southern Florida through 8:00am.
TUESDAY 8/19/2008 2:00 AM
The National Weather Service in Miami has issued a tornado warning for South Central Hendry County and Central Collier County until 3:00 am.
At 1:51 am the National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 12 miles southeast of Hendry moving northwest at 51 mph.
The tornado will be near Interstate 75 near the Collier County rest area, Hendry Correctional and surrounding communities.
A tornado watch remains in effect until 8:00 am Tuesday morning for Southern Florida.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 11:00PM
Information from The Associated Press.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Two years since a hurricane last lashed at Florida, many residents took a wait-and-see attitude Monday as a strengthening Tropical Storm Fay swept across the Florida Keys and bore down on the Gulf Coast.
At 11 p.m. EDT, Fay was about 60 miles south of Naples and moving north at about 9 mph. Sustained winds were about 60 mph with some higher gusts.
A hurricane warning was in effect along southwestern Florida from Flamingo to just south of the Tampa Bay area. A tropical storm warning was in effect in the east from Flagler Beach southward and in the Keys. A warning means those conditions are likely within the warning area in the next 24 hours.
National Hurricane Center officials said the storm would likely make landfall sometime Tuesday morning. Forecasters said Fay would probably be at or near hurricane strength, which is winds of at least 74 mph.
No damage or injuries were reported in the Keys, where a few bars and restaurants stubbornly remained open. Authorities said a possible tornado knocked down a tree on Big Coppitt Key and there were scattered power outages as well as local street flooding.
Local officials planned to reopen Key West's airport Wednesday.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 8:00PM
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Fay, centered about 105 miles south of Naples Florida.
Showers and thunderstorms associated with an area of low pressure located about 750 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands have changed little in organization this evening. Upper-level winds are forecast to be marginally favorable for development of this system over the next couple of days as it moves westward or west-northwestward near 15 mph.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 5:00PM
Keys take Tropical Storm Fay in stride
Information from The Associated Press.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Two years since a hurricane last lashed at Florida, many residents were taking a wait-and-see attitude Monday as a strengthening Tropical Storm Fay swept across the Florida Keys and bore down on the Gulf Coast.
While tourists caught the last flight out of town and headed out of the storm's path, residents in the carefree Florida Keys were putting up hurricane shutters and checking their generators, but not doing much more.
"We're not worried about it. We've seen this movie before," said 58-year-old Willie Dykes, who lives on a sailboat in Key West and was buying food, water and whiskey.
By midafternoon, heavy rains moving ahead of Fay's core were pelting the low-lying Keys island chain. Sustained winds of about 33 mph bent palm trees, and some gusts hit 51 mph.
The sixth named storm in the Atlantic hurricane season was expected to become a hurricane before curling up the state's western coast and hitting Florida's mainland sometime Tuesday.
The storm center passed over the Key West around 5 p.m. on Monday, and a hurricane warning was in effect along southwestern Florida from Flamingo to just south of the Tampa Bay area. A tropical storm warning in effect in the east from Flagler Beach southward.
At 5 p.m. EDT, Fay was about 145 miles of Fort Myers and moving north-northwest at about 12 mph. Sustained winds were about 60 mph with some higher gusts.
National Hurricane Center officials said the storm would likely make landfall sometime Tuesday morning. Forecasters said Fay would probably be at or near hurricane strength, which is winds of at least 74 mph.
No damage or injuries were immediately reported in the Keys, where a few bars and restaurants stubbornly remained open.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 3:30PM
Tropical storm's center passes Key West
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - The National Hurricane Center says the center of Tropical Storm Fay has passed over Key West.
Hurricane forecasters say the center made landfall over the island at 3 p.m. EDT. The storm is expected to strengthen into a possibly Category 1 hurricane before hitting Florida's Gulf Coast sometime Tuesday. Category 1 storms have winds of at least 74 mph.
There are no immediate reports of damage in the Keys. Authorities say there was some localized flooding and power lines are down in some areas. No serious injuries have been reported.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 1:45PM
Tropical Storm Fay moves toward Florida Keys
Information from The Associated Press.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Some Key West stores were shuttered today while others stubbornly remained open as rain and wind gusts from Tropical Storm Fay began to lash at south Florida after the storm killed at least eight people in the Caribbean.
Officials say roughly 25,000 tourists have evacuated, but some bars and restaurants are doing business, even if crowds are considerably thinner than typical for this time of year.
Fay is the sixth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic season. It left at least five people dead in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Forecasters say Fay is expected to near hurricane strength, which starts at windspeeds of 74 miles per hour, when it reaches the Keys later today. Aside from wind damage, most of the islands sit at sea level and could face some limited flooding from Fay's storm surge.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 1:30PM
ALLIGATOR ALLEY TOLLS SUSPENDED
Florida DOT has announced that in order to facilitate evacuation and allow tollbooth personnel to prepare for and seek shelter from approaching Tropical Storm Fay, effective at 11 a.m. Monday, August 18, tolls are suspended until further notice on Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), eastbound and westbound. For more information, visit www.collierem.org or call 252-8444.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 11:00AM
Florida Keys brace for hit from Tropical Storm Fay
Information from The Associated Press.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Some Key West stores were shuttered Monday while others stubbornly remained open as rain and wind gusts from Tropical Storm Fay began to lash at south Florida after the storm claimed up to 35 lives in the Caribbean.
Fay, the sixth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic season, left at least five people dead in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A Haitian lawmaker said another 30 people may have died in a bus crash blamed on the storm.
Forecasters said Fay is expected to near hurricane strength, which starts at windspeeds of 74 mph, when it reaches the Keys later Monday. Aside from wind damage, most of the islands sit at sea level and could face some limited flooding from Fay's storm surge.
The exact track is not clear but the storm is expected to hit the Keys and then the western coast of Florida, forecasters said.
Anywhere from 4 to 10 inches of rain are possible, so flooding is a threat even far from where the center comes ashore, said Stacy Stewart, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center.
Gov. Charlie Crist said at a news conference in Tallahassee that 500 National Guard troops have been activated but will not be dispatched until it's clear when and where they are needed. Although Fay does not appear to be as powerful as other recent Florida storms, Crist said people shouldn't be complacent.
Traffic leaving Key West and the Lower Keys Sunday night and Monday morning remained light but steady. Monroe County Sheriff Rick Roth said the 110-mile, mostly two-lane Overseas Highway would likely remain open during and after the storm, but he urged people not to travel once Fay hits.
The last plane left Key West International Airport at about 9:30 a.m. with 19 people aboard, headed to Fort Lauderdale. The airport shut down at half hour later. The last Greyhound bus also left Key West Monday morning nearly empty with just 15 people aboard.
A hurricane watch was in effect for most of the Keys and along Florida's west coast.
Early Monday, a tropical storm warning was issued for Florida's east coast from Sebastian Inlet southward and along Florida's west coast from Bonita Beach southward, including Lake Okeechobee.
A tropical storm warning also remained in effect for the entire Florida Keys. A watch means those conditions might occur within 36 hours. A warning means those conditions are expected within 24 hours.
Just before 11 a.m. EDT Monday, the storm's center was located over the Florida Straits between Cuba and the Keys, about 70 miles south-southeast of Key West and was moving toward the north-northwest near 13 mph.
Maximum sustained wind speeds were near 60 mph with higher gusts, and the storm was expected to strengthen over the next 24 hours.
Key West was last seriously affected by a hurricane in 2005, when Category 3 Wilma sped past. The town escaped widespread wind damage, but a storm surge flooded hundreds of homes and some businesses. The deadliest storm to hit the island was a Category 4 hurricane in 1919 that killed up to 900 people, many of them offshore on ships that sank.
10:55
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -
Collier County Emergency Management announces a voluntary evacuation order for all areas west and south of US 41. The affected areas begin at the Lee/Collier County line and continue south to the Monroe/Collier County line.
Shelters will open Monday at 4 p.m.
o Palmetto Ridge High School- 1655 Oil Well Road (CR 858)
o Golden Gate High School - 2925 Titan Way
o Immokalee High School - 701 Immokalee Drive
Collier Information Hotline is open to answer any Tropical Storm Fay related questions at 252-8444. The Collier Information Hotline will remain active 24 hours until further notice. For more information, visit www.collierem.org or call 252-8444.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 10:45AM
The National Hurricane Center issued a Hurricane Warning for all of Southwest Florida, from Flamingo to Anna Maria Island. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area the next 24 hours.
MONDAY 8/18/2008 10:00AM
Tropical Storm Fay moves in on Florida Keys
Information from The Associated Press.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Key West stores were shuttered and crews cleared sidewalks in some areas of newspaper boxes that could become airborne in high winds as Tropical Storm Fay headed for Florida after claiming as many as 35 lives in the Caribbean.
Fay, the sixth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic season, left at least five people dead in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A Haitian lawmaker said another 30 people may have died in a bus crash blamed on the storm.
Forecasters said Fay is expected to near hurricane strength, which starts at windspeeds of 74 mph, when it reaches the Keys later Monday. Aside from wind damage, most of the islands sit at sea level and could face some limited flooding from Fay's storm surge.
The exact track is not clear but the storm is expected to hit the Keys and then the western coast of Florida, forecasters said.
Anywhere from 4 to 10 inches of rain are possible, so flooding is a threat even far from where the center comes ashore, said Stacy Stewart, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center.
Traffic leaving Key West and the Lower Keys Sunday night and Monday morning remained light but steady.
Authorities said traffic was heavier in the Upper Keys, where the 110-mile, mostly two-lane highway that runs through the island chain meets the mainland. The Florida Highway Patrol sent in extra troopers to help and tolls were suspended on parts of the northbound turnpike.
Key West International Airport planned to suspend operations at 10 a.m. Monday. Greyhound said one bus was set to leave Key West Monday morning with some seats still available.
A hurricane watch was in effect for most of the Keys and along Florida's west coast.
Early Monday, a tropical storm warning was issued for Florida's east coast from Sebastian Inlet southward and along Florida's west coast from Bonita Beach southward, including Lake Okeechobee.
A tropical storm warning also remained in effect for the entire Florida Keys. A watch means those conditions might occur within 36 hours. A warning means those conditions are expected within 24 hours.
Officials in the Keys and elsewhere opened shelters and encouraged or ordered people living in low-lying areas and on boats to evacuate. Schools in the Keys were to be closed Monday and Tuesday.
At 8 a.m. EDT Monday, the storm's center was located over western Cuba and about 100 miles south-southeast of Key West and was moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph.
Maximum sustained wind speeds were near 60 mph with higher gusts.
Residents on Florida's Gulf coast were told to make preparations as forecasters said Fay could approach that area Tuesday as a Category 1 storm, with winds from 74 to 95 mph.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain canceled a Monday fundraiser in Miami as a precaution, but he was still expected to speak at the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Orlando.
His presumptive Democratic opponent Barack Obama canceled events Sunday in Fort Myers, Clearwater and Tampa. He is scheduled to speak at the VFW on Tuesday.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency Saturday as an emergency operations center opened in Tallahassee. He said 9,000 Florida National Guard troops were available, but only 500 were on active duty Sunday.
Key West was last seriously affected by a hurricane in 2005, when Category 3 Wilma sped past. The town escaped widespread wind damage, but a storm surge flooded hundreds of homes and some businesses. The deadliest storm to hit the island was a Category 4 hurricane in 1919 that killed up to 900 people, many of them offshore on ships that sank.
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 3:25PM
Lee County Schools are Open on Monday
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Lee County School will be open on Monday, for the first day of school.
Lee County Schools spokesman Joe Donzelli tells WINK News, "The District will be operating under normal conditions." That means buses will run their routes, schools will adhere to their bell times. He adds the District will try to figure the schools hours for the rest of the week as soon as possible Monday.
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 1:45PM
Watch out for price gouging, it's a crime
TALLAHASSEE, Fla - Attorney General Bill McCollum Sunday announced the activation of the Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline. He is urging Floridians to be alert for anyone who may try to take advantage of people attempting to prepare for or impacted by the coming storm.
The Attorney General's action follows Governor Charlie Crist’s official
declaration of a State of Emergency due to approaching Tropical Storm Fay.
Residents who suspect price gouging may call the hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226), and investigators will then research the complaint.
Florida law prohibits extreme increases in the price of such commodities as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment
needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency.
Under Florida law, the price of goods or services are considered
exorbitant if the increase represents a "gross disparity" from the average price of that commodity during the 30 days prior to the declared
emergency.
Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation, up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period.
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 1:35PM
Fort Myers Beach on High Alert
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. - The Town of Fort Myers Beach is now on "High Alert". That means Town Hall has suspended all general operations and emergency operations are activated.
Fort Myers Beach spokesperson Michelle Mayher tells WINK News, "Residents are urged to secure their property, bringing in lawn furniture, garden equipment, items for trash haulers and anything that could become flying debris."
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 12:25PM
Emergency Officials: Get ready for storm now
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Lee County Emergency Operations crews are meeting to prepare for a Category 2 Hurricane. That is one level higher than what is being forecast right now in Florida.
Public safety, county government, and law enforcement agencies held a briefing Sunday morning to go over scenarios and best prepare for the storm.
The number one thing they recommend you do is get ready. buy hurricane supplies including batteries, water for three days, flashlights, gas in your car, money from the ATM.
If you live in a home, start putting up shutters Sunday or board up your home.
If you live in a manufactured or mobile home, gather your belongings and get ready to evacuate if necessary.
Viewers have been contacting WINK News wanting to know what to do with their car if they don't have a garage. EOC officials tell us to find an open area away from trees.
They also urge you to heed all evacuation notices.
As of right now, no evacuations have been issued.
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 11:17AM
Hurricane Watch for all of Southwest Florida
information from The Associated Press.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for all of Southwest Florida. The watch goes from Anna Maria Island near Tampa south to the Florida Keys.
A tropical storm watch was also in effect for the southeast coast of Florida from Ocean Reef north to Jupiter Inlet, as well as for Lake Okeechobee.
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 10:05AM
Schools still to open.. for now
LEE COUNTY, Fla. - On Monday, Lee County Schools are scheduled to start for the new school year.
As of Sunday morning, Lee County School District leaders are telling WINK News they are monitoring Tropical Storm Fay. At this point schools are set to start as scheduled on Monday.
All other public schools in Southwest Florida are set to open their doors on Tuesday. None of those district have announced any closures.
WINK News spoke with Collier County Schools Superintendent Dennis Thompson. He says schools are still planned to have the first day on Tuesday, but that could change following a Noon Monday meeting with Collier County Emergency Management.
Charlotte County Schools spokesperson Mike Riley tells WINK News of a similar plan. Schools in Charlotte County may make an announcement on Monday.
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 8:55AM
Sanibel Hurricane Passes
SANIBEL, Fla. - The City of Sanibel is distributing hurricane passes on Sunday, August 17th until 5:00pm.
The distribution will be going on at the Sanibel Police Department at 800 Dunlop Road.
Residents will need these passes to get back onto Sanibel right after a hurricane.
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 7:18AM
Hurricane Watch for Bonita Beach and South
Information from The Associated Press.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - The National Hurricane Center in Miami says a Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Florida Keys from south of Ocean Reef to Key West, and along the mainland from Card Sound Bridge west to Bonita Beach.
The sixth storm of the 2008 Atlantic season picked up some momentum early Sunday morning as it headed toward Cuba, and could be a hurricane by the time it reaches the island's center.
SUNDAY 8/17/2008 7:17AM
Visitors asked to leave Keys
Information from The Associated Press.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Officials say they're asking visitors to leave the Florida Keys ahead of Tropical Storm Fay, which could strengthen to a hurricane.
Forecasters say Fay could start pelting parts of the Keys and south Florida as soon as Monday.
The chairman of the Keys tourist development council says officials are asking visitors to leave starting at 8 a.m. EDT Sunday to ensure their safety.
SATURDAY 8/16/2008 5:15 PM
4 Deaths from Fay
Information from The Associated Press.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Flooding from Tropical Storm Fay killed four people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and authorities warned Saturday that the storm could reach hurricane strength as it barreled toward Cuba.
Florida's Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency and said Fay threatened the state with a "major disaster."
Forecasters said Fay could bring hurricane-force winds to the Florida Keys as soon as Monday.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said that on Saturday afternoon the storm was located about 60 miles south of Guantanamo, Cuba. It was heading west at about 16 mph and maximum sustained winds had decreased slightly to 40 mph.
A man died Saturday in Haiti while trying to cross a river in Leogane, south of Port-au-Prince, said Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste, head of Haiti's civil protection department. No further information was immediately available.
Rice fields in the Artibonite Valley, Haiti's most fertile region, were flooded, according to reports from Radio Ginen. And Fay's heavy winds destroyed banana crops in Arcahaie, north of the capital, although it is unclear how many acres were affected, Jean-Baptiste said.
Haiti has struggled to cope with a food crisis that sparked deadly riots in April.
The capital's airport reopened Saturday afternoon, but heavy rains were still expected in the south.
In neighboring Dominican Republic, a 34-year-old woman drowned when a family tried to cross a swollen river in a car, civil defense agency director Luis Luna Paulino said. The bodies of her missing 13-year-old niece and 5-year-old nephew were found Saturday afternoon, but her husband swam to safety.
A tropical storm warning was lifted Saturday afternoon for parts of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Cuba's government said hurricane watches were in effect for the provinces of Villa Clara, Cinefuegos, Matanzas, Camaguey, Ciego de
Avila and Sancti Spiritus. A hurricane watch means that hurricane
conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36
hours.
Fay's path will take it over the southern coast of eastern Cuba
late Saturday or Sunday and over the island's west near Havana on
Sunday night Monday, according to forecasters.
Forecasters said Fay could hit the U.S. as a Category 1 or 2
hurricane, with winds perhaps reaching more than 100 mph (160 kph).
"The official track brings it off the west coast of Florida Tuesday and Wednesday, however, the track is always uncertain and the entire peninsula of Florida needs to pay attention to the storm," said meteorologist Christopher Juckins.
SATURDAY 8/16/2008 2:45 PM
State of Emergency in Florida
Information from The Associated Press.
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - A spokeswoman says Gov. Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency for Florida due to the threat of Tropical Storm Fay.
Forecasters warned that Tropical Storm Fay could bring hurricane-force winds to the Florida Keys as soon as Monday.
Forecasters said Saturday that the storm could hit as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, with winds perhaps reaching more than 100 mph.
But forecasters stressed it was too early to tell how intense the storm would become.
SATURDAY 8/16/08 12:00 NOON
Tropical Storm Fay kills one person, two children missing
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - Flooding from Tropical Storm Fay killed one woman and left two children missing in the Dominican Republic, authorities said Saturday as the cyclone spun toward Cuba.
Forecasters said Fay could reach hurricane strength when it approaches central Cuba on Sunday, and the government there issued a hurricane watch for several provinces.
Fay also could turn toward the Florida Keys, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
The center reported that as of 11 a.m. EDT, the storm's center had passed over Haiti and was about 130 miles southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba. It was heading west at about 15 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
A 34-year-old woman drowned in the Dominican Republic when a family tried to cross a swollen river in a car, civil defense agency director Luis Luna Paulino said. Her 13-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy were missing, but her husband swam to safety.
Fay dumped heavy rain over Haiti late Friday, and the capital's airport remained closed Saturday although skies there had cleared. No deaths or injuries were reported.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for the coast of Haiti and parts of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The government of the Dominican Republic canceled its storm warnings.
Fay is the sixth named storm to form in the Atlantic this season.
SATURDAY 8/16/2008 11:00AM
Hurricane Watch for Cuba
Information from The Associated Press.
MIAMI (AP) - Cuba's government has issued a hurricane watch for parts of the country as Tropical Storm Fay approaches.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 11 a.m. EDT that the center of the storm was moving west away from Haiti, where it dumped heavy rain.
The hurricane watch is for the provinces of Camaguey, Ciego De Avila and Sancti Spiritus in Cuba. A tropical storm warning has been issued for other areas of Cuba and remains in effect for the southeastern Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the coast of Haiti.
The storm's center was about 130 miles east-southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba.
It is heading toward the west at about 15 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
SATURDAY 8/16/2008 9:00AM
Tropical Storm Fay soaks Haiti, Dominican Republic
Information from The Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay is dumping heavy rain over Haiti and the Dominican Republic as it makes its way toward Cuba.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for the coast of Haiti and parts of Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The government of the Dominican Republican canceled its storm warnings.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 8 a.m. EDT that the storm was centered about 170 miles east-southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba. It is heading toward the west at about 14 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
Forecasters say Fay may weaken slightly but could regain strength as it travels over warm water.
It is the sixth storm to form in the Atlantic this season.
