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Florida emergency for storm Fay Florida emergency for storm Fay
(about 3 hours later)
The US state of Florida has declared a state of emergency ahead of the arrival of tropical storm Fay, which has swept through the island of Hispaniola.The US state of Florida has declared a state of emergency ahead of the arrival of tropical storm Fay, which has swept through the island of Hispaniola.
At least four people have been killed in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. At least four people were killed in flooding in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which share Hispaniola, officials said.
More than 2,000 people were evacuated in the Dominican Republic, hundreds of homes were damaged and a further 15,000 houses lost power. Some 2,000 people had to leave their homes in the Dominican Republic and hundreds of properties were damaged.
Fay could become a hurricane as it moves towards Cuba then on to Florida, arriving there possibly on Monday. Fay could become a hurricane as it moves towards Cuba then on to Florida.
Sustained winds of 75km/h (45mph) and rainfall of 20cm (eight inches) were recorded in the Dominican Republic. At 0300 GMT on Sunday, Fay had maximum sustained winds of 74mph (118km/h), and was located some 280km (175 miles) south-east of Camaguey, Cuba, the Florida-based National Hurricane Center said.
Stocking up It said the storm was moving west at 14mph (22km/h).
On Saturday, the storm moved across Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, with red alerts issued along with orders to evacuate specific areas.
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Areas affected by flooding in the Dominican RepublicAreas affected by flooding in the Dominican Republic
Authorities in Cuba have issued a "hurricane-watch" for three provinces. Cuban officials have ordered evacuations from low-lying areas in several provinces, where Fay is expected to come ashore on Sunday or Monday.
On Saturday afternoon, the US National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, said the storm was 80km (50 miles) south south-east of Guantanamo, Cuba. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Turks and Caicos islands, the south-eastern Bahamas, while Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, south of Cuba, issued a tropical storm watch. Fay is expected to reach Florida after it crosses Cuba.
HOW HURRICANES FORM Sea surface temperatures above 26.5C (79.7F)A pre-existing weather disturbanceMoisture in the atmosphereFavourable conditions, such as light winds or weak wind shear Animated guide: Hurricanes HOW HURRICANES FORM Sea surface temperatures above 26.5C (79.7F)A pre-existing weather disturbanceMoisture in the atmosphereFavourable conditions, such as light winds or weak wind shear Animated guide: Hurricanes US weather forecasters said Fay was not expected to strengthen, but that torrential rainfall of 30.5cm could be expected.
The storm is expected to reach Florida after it crosses Cuba on Sunday.
US weather forecasters said Fay was not expected to strengthen, but that torrential rainfall of 30.5cm could be expected.
Florida's Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency, saying Fay threatened a "major disaster".Florida's Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency, saying Fay threatened a "major disaster".
Fay could hit the Keys on Monday and residents of Miami have been stocking up on bottled water, fuel and emergency items. Residents of Miami have been stocking up on bottled water, fuel and emergency items.
Fay is the sixth tropical storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.Fay is the sixth tropical storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.
Two of the tropical storms so far, Bertha and Dolly, have reached hurricane strength - with winds of at least 119km/h.Two of the tropical storms so far, Bertha and Dolly, have reached hurricane strength - with winds of at least 119km/h.