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| Tropical storm batters Cuba coast | Tropical storm batters Cuba coast |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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. | 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 overland before hitting Florida, where a state of emergency has been called, as a possible hurricane. | 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. |
| Western and central areas of Cuba, and the Florida Keys are being evacuated. | Western and central areas of Cuba, and the Florida Keys are being evacuated. |
| Earlier, four people were killed in the Dominican Republic and one in Haiti after Fay caused floods on Hispaniola. | Earlier, four people were killed in the Dominican Republic and one in Haiti after Fay caused floods on Hispaniola. |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 fears | Flooding fears |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/4588149.stm">Animated guide: Hurricanes | |
| 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 torrential rain. Rains up to 20cm (8 inches) were possible, he said. | 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. |
| "It's raining intensely, but the wind comes and goes," one of the hotel's employees told the Associated Press. | "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 has declared a state of emergency, saying Fay threatened a "major disaster". But he insisted the state was prepared, ready and vigilant. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |