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| Storm drenches south-west Florida | Storm drenches south-west Florida |
| (2 days later) | |
| Tropical Storm Fay has hit the south-west coast of Florida with heavy rains and strong winds. | Tropical Storm Fay has hit the south-west coast of Florida with heavy rains and strong winds. |
| Forecasters had earlier warned that Fay could reach hurricane force, but later said the storm should weaken after making landfall. | Forecasters had earlier warned that Fay could reach hurricane force, but later said the storm should weaken after making landfall. |
| 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). | 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). |
| A curfew was in place in Naples, but no serious damage was reported. | A curfew was in place in Naples, but no serious damage was reported. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Further north in the Tampa Bay area, schools and government offices remained closed. | Further north in the Tampa Bay area, schools and government offices remained closed. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 | 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 |
| "I think we're going to all enjoy a nice summer day," said Sally Bishop, the county's emergency management director. | "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. | 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. | 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. |