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Cubans brace for tropical storm Tropical storm batters Cuba coast
(about 5 hours later)
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. Tropical storm Fay has struck Cuba's south coast with high winds and heavy rains after leaving at least five dead in its path across the Caribbean.
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. The storm is forecast to strengthen as it moves overland before hitting Florida, where a state of emergency has been called, as a possible hurricane.
Four people died on the Dominican Republic side of Hispaniola and one person was killed on the Haitian side. Western and central areas of Cuba, and the Florida Keys are being evacuated.
Fay brought torrential rain and flooding to the island. Earlier, four people were killed in the Dominican Republic and one in Haiti after Fay caused floods on Hispaniola.
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. As of 2100 GMT, the US National Hurricane Center located the centre of the storm 335km (205 miles) south-east of Havana, Cuba, and 435km (270 miles) south-southeast of Key West, Florida.
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. Moving at about 24km/h (15mph), Fay was expected to cross western Cuba overnight on Sunday, or Monday morning, and reach the Florida Keys on Monday afternoon or night, the NHC said.
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. It said maximum sustained winds were nearly 85km/h, possibly rising up to 120km/h, and a hurricane watch was now in effect for the Florida Keys and along the southern and western coast of the Florida mainland.
Flooding fearsFlooding fears
Officials in four Cuban provinces ordered evacuations from low-lying areas. Before Fay hit Cuba's southern coast on Sunday afternoon, officials in four Cuban provinces ordered the evacuation of more than 10,000 people from low-lying areas, along with foreign tourists staying at coastal resorts in the storm's path.
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Areas affected by flooding in the Dominican RepublicAreas affected by flooding in the Dominican Republic
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.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.
Jose Rubiera, Cuba's chief meteorologist, said that civil defence officials were mostly concerned about the effects of heavy rain. Jose Rubiera, Cuba's chief meteorologist, said that civil defence officials were mostly concerned about the effects of torrential rain. Rains up to 20cm (8 inches) were possible, he said.
In the southern coastal city of Niquero, the authorities converted a hotel into a shelter for evacuees.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: HurricanesHOW 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. "It's raining intensely, but the wind comes and goes," one of the hotel's employees told the Associated Press.
Some 2,000 people had to leave their homes in the Dominican Republic and hundreds of properties were damaged.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 has declared a state of emergency, saying Fay threatened a "major disaster". But he insisted the state was prepared, ready and vigilant.
Residents of Miami have been stocking up on bottled water, fuel and emergency items. In the Florida Keys, the authorities closed schools, opened shelters and urged visitors to leave. The main highway linking the Keys to the mainland was choked with traffic on Sunday afternoon, local police said.
Residents of Miami have meanwhile 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.