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Florida braced for tropical storm Storm heads to south-west Florida
(about 4 hours later)
The US state of Florida is braced for Tropical Storm Fay, which is thought to have claimed dozens of lives on its rampage through the Caribbean. Tropical Storm Fay is heading towards the south-west coast of the US state of Florida after hitting the Florida Keys with heavy rains and strong winds.
Forecasters warned Fay could reach hurricane force as it approached the Florida peninsula. Forecasters warned that Fay could reach hurricane force as it approached the Florida peninsula.
The storm's centre has already crossed Florida Key West with winds near 60mph (97km/h), flooding some roads. The storm's centre crossed Florida Key West with winds near 95km/h (60mph), flooding some roads.
Florida's Governor Charlie Crist warned that Fay threatened a "major disaster", but he insisted the state was prepared.Florida's Governor Charlie Crist warned that Fay threatened a "major disaster", but he insisted the state was prepared.
With a state of emergency in place, Mr Crist said some 500 national guard members had been deployed, with another 8,500 on standby.With a state of emergency in place, Mr Crist said some 500 national guard members had been deployed, with another 8,500 on standby.
The US National Hurricane Center said the storm still had the potential to top sustained winds of 74 mph (119 km/h) by the time it hits the west coast of Florida early on Tuesday. The US National Hurricane Center said the storm still had the potential to increase strength by the time it hit the west coast of Florida, expected Tuesday morning local time.
Across Florida at least 22 school districts, a number of colleges and a university have cancelled classes. At 0600GMT, the centre of Fay was located about 70km (45 miles) south of Naples on Florida's west coast.
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 The storm was moving at around 12km/h (seven mph) with maximum sustained winds of 95km/h (60mph), the NHC said. 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
Residents of Miami have been stocking up on bottled water, fuel and other vital supplies. Heavy rain was still hitting Cuba, which suffered some flooding but no major damage.
The main highway linking the Keys to the mainland was choked with traffic on Sunday as thousands of tourists evacuated. Fay's passage over Haiti and the Dominican Republic was more destructive, with more than a dozen deaths reported.
But not everyone was hunkering down - hundreds of surfers flocked to Miami beaches to take advantage of the huge swells created by the storm. There was confusion over an accident in Haiti, where a truck carrying up to 80 passengers plunged into a swollen river on Sunday.
In Cuba, Fay caused some flooding and damaged a number of homes, although no deaths were reported. Officials and witnesses said more than half the passengers were missing, with many feared drowned.
But a number of lives were lost in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. However, UN peacekeepers stationed in Haiti who arrived at the scene told the Associated Press that two babies had died in the accident but that 41 passengers had escaped to safety.
The worst incident was in Haiti, where a truck carrying up to 80 passengers plunged into a swollen river. A civil protection officer, who had earlier said some 30 people were feared dead, also told AP that three bodies had been found.
Officials there said more than half the passengers were missing, with many feared drowned.
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.Two of the tropical storms so far, Bertha and Dolly, have reached hurricane strength.
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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