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Florida emergency for storm Fay Cubans brace for tropical storm
(about 11 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. Cuba has evacuated eastern and central areas as tropical storm Fay approaches, leaving at least five people dead in its wake on the island of Hispaniola.
At least four people were killed in flooding in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which share Hispaniola, officials said. The storm is forecast to strengthen as it moves towards Cuba and then southern Florida, where a state of emergency has been called and visitors evacuated.
Some 2,000 people had to leave their homes in the Dominican Republic and hundreds of properties were damaged. Four people died on the Dominican Republic side of Hispaniola and one person was killed on the Haitian side.
Fay could become a hurricane as it moves towards Cuba then on to Florida. Fay brought torrential rain and flooding to the island.
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. As of 1800 GMT, US hurricane monitors located the centre of the storm 215km (135 miles) west of Camaguey, Cuba, and 460km (285 miles) south of Key West, Florida.
It said the storm was moving west at 14mph (22km/h). Moving at about 27km/h (17MPH), Fay is expected to make landfall in Cuba overnight or on Monday morning, and reach Key West on Monday night, the US National Hurricane Center reports.
Maximum sustained winds were nearly 85km/h (50mph) and the center warned that Fay could develop into a hurricane by the time it reached Florida, though some weakening was possible over Cuba.
Flooding fears
Officials in four Cuban provinces ordered evacuations from low-lying areas.
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Areas affected by flooding in the Dominican RepublicAreas affected by flooding in the Dominican Republic
Cuban officials have ordered evacuations from low-lying areas in several provinces, where Fay is expected to come ashore on Sunday or Monday. Fishing boats were pulled out of the water and farm animals were moved to higher ground, while temporary shelters and food distribution centres were set up.
A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Jose Rubiera, Cuba's chief meteorologist, said that civil defence officials were mostly concerned about the effects of heavy rain.
Fay is expected to reach Florida after it crosses Cuba. In the southern coastal city of Niquero, the authorities converted a hotel into a shelter for evacuees.
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. 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
"It's raining intensely, but the wind comes and goes," a Hotel Niquero employee told the Associated Press news agency.
Some 2,000 people had to leave their homes in the Dominican Republic and hundreds of properties were damaged.
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".
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.