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Storm heads to south-west Florida Storm drenches south-west Florida
(about 4 hours later)
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. Tropical Storm Fay has hit the south-west coast of Florida with heavy rains and strong winds.
Forecasters warned that Fay could reach hurricane force as it approached the Florida peninsula. Forecasters had earlier warned that Fay could reach hurricane force, but later said the storm should weaken after making landfall.
The storm's centre crossed Florida Key West with winds near 95km/h (60mph), flooding some roads. The storm crossed the Florida Keys and made landfall at about 0500 (0900 GMT) at Cape Romano, just south of Naples, with winds of about 60mph (96km/h).
Florida's Governor Charlie Crist warned that Fay threatened a "major disaster", but he insisted the state was prepared. A curfew was in place in Naples, but no serious damage was reported.
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, Florida Governor Charlie Crist said about 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 increase strength by the time it hit the west coast of Florida, expected Tuesday morning local time. Power cuts were affecting about 5,800 residents on Marco Island, Collier County officials reported. They also said 148 people had spent the night in storm shelters.
At 0600GMT, the centre of Fay was located about 70km (45 miles) south of Naples on Florida's west coast. Further north in the Tampa Bay area, schools and government offices remained closed.
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 class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/4588149.stm">Animated guide: Hurricanes However an evacuation order in Pinellas County for mobile home residents and others in vulnerable areas was lifted when the storm failed to reach hurricane status.
Heavy rain was still hitting Cuba, which suffered some flooding but no major damage. 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
"I think we're going to all enjoy a nice summer day," said Sally Bishop, the county's emergency management director.
Flooding is still a concern as Fay moves up the peninsula, with up to 25cm (10in) of rain forecast. A storm surge of up to 1.5m (5ft) above normal is still possible and the storm could also trigger tornadoes.
Heavy rain was also drenching Cuba, which suffered some flooding but no major damage.
Fay's passage over Haiti and the Dominican Republic was more destructive, with more than a dozen deaths reported.Fay's passage over Haiti and the Dominican Republic was more destructive, with more than a dozen deaths reported.
There was confusion over an accident in Haiti, where a truck carrying up to 80 passengers plunged into a swollen river on Sunday.There was confusion over an accident in Haiti, where a truck carrying up to 80 passengers plunged into a swollen river on Sunday.
Officials and witnesses said more than half the passengers were missing, with many feared drowned.Officials and witnesses said more than half the passengers were missing, with many feared drowned.
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.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.
A civil protection officer, who had earlier said some 30 people were feared dead, also told AP that three bodies had been found.A civil protection officer, who had earlier said some 30 people were feared dead, also told AP that three bodies had been found.
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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