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Storm hits Cuba on way to Florida Storm hits Cuba on way to Florida
(about 5 hours later)
Tropical Storm Fay has struck Cuba after causing widespread flooding that left dozens dead in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.Tropical Storm Fay has struck Cuba after causing widespread flooding that left dozens dead in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The storm appears to have spared Havana and caused minimal damage elsewhere in Cuba, where authorities had evacuated dozens of low-lying areas.The storm appears to have spared Havana and caused minimal damage elsewhere in Cuba, where authorities had evacuated dozens of low-lying areas.
But Fay could reach hurricane strength before it nears the Florida Keys later on Monday, US forecasters say. Fay passed over Florida's Key West without any reports of major damage.
Officials there have opened shelters and urged visitors to leave. It could still reach hurricane strength before it reaches Florida's west coast, the US National Hurricane Centre said.
The storm passed over Haiti and the Dominican Republic at the weekend, bringing torrential downpours. By 1700 (2200 GMT), maximum sustained winds were 100km/h (60 mph) and Fay was about 145 miles (233km) south of Fort Myers, the agency said.
Several people were killed by the flooding, and in Haiti, many people were feared to have drowned in the south-west of the country after the bus they were travelling was swept away by a swollen river on Sunday. A hurricane watch is in effect along the southern and western coast of the Florida mainland between Card Sound Bridge and Tarpon Springs.
Mudslides Florida's Governor Charlie Crist called a state of emergency, saying Fay threatened a "major disaster". But he insisted the state was prepared, ready and vigilant.
By 1200GMT on Monday, the centre of the storm was 125km (80 miles) east of Havana and about 160km (100 miles) south-south-east of Key West in Florida, the US National Hurricane Center said.
US forecasters warned that Fay could dump 20cm (12 inches) of rain on Cuba, with up to 30cm (12 inches) in isolated cases, bringing the risk of flash floods and mudslides.
Jose Rubiera, Cuba's chief meteorologist, said the storm had hit Cuba near the sparsely-populated Peninsula de Zapata close to the Bay of Pigs, the Associated Press reported.
Cuban authorities had warned people to be prepared for the storm and had ordered the evacuation of more than 10,000 people from low-lying areas, along with tourists staying at coastal resorts in the storm's predicted 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 Animated guide: Hurricanes
Moving at about 19km/h (12mph), Fay is expected to be near the Florida Keys by Monday night and could be hurricane strength, the NHC said.
Maximum sustained winds are 100km/h (60 mph), and a hurricane watch is in effect for the Florida Keys and along the southern and western coast of the Florida mainland between Card Sound Bridge to Tarpon Springs.
Florida's Governor Charlie Crist has called a state of emergency, saying Fay threatened a "major disaster". But he insisted the state was prepared, ready and vigilant.
The main highway linking the Keys to the mainland was choked with traffic on Sunday afternoon, local police said.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.
Mudslides
The storm passed over Haiti and the Dominican Republic at the weekend, bringing torrential downpours.
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
Several people were killed by the flooding, and in Haiti, many people were feared to have drowned in the south-west of the country after the bus they were travelling in was swept away by a swollen river on Sunday.
Jose Rubiera, Cuba's chief meteorologist, said the storm had hit Cuba on Monday near the sparsely-populated Peninsula de Zapata, close to the Bay of Pigs, the Associated Press reported.
Cuban authorities had warned people to be prepared for the storm and had ordered the evacuation of more than 10,000 people from low-lying areas, along with tourists staying at coastal resorts in the storm's predicted path.
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.
Has Tropical Storm Fay affected you? Are you in Florida preparing for the storm to hit? Send us your comments by completing the form below.Has Tropical Storm Fay affected you? Are you in Florida preparing for the storm to hit? Send us your comments by completing the form below.
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