Fay Skims Cuba, Sets Sights On Florida

Tropical Storm Expected To Slowly Reach Hurricane Status As It Nears Florida Keys

(CBS/AP)  Tropical Storm Fay spared Havana as it sped across Cuba's Bay of Pigs and took aim at Florida on Monday. Forecasters said it could likely reach hurricane strength before hitting the U.S. mainland.

Fay is blamed for at least seven reported deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, but appeared to do minimal damage to Cuba despite torrential rain southeast of the capital. Cuban authorities evacuated dozens of low-lying communities, but their worst fears were not realized - a direct hit on Old Havana's dilapidated buildings.

Fay's center was expected to emerge into the Florida Straits in the next few hours and could be "very near" the Keys by Monday night, the Hurricane Center said. The storm was expected to strengthen over the next 24 hours.

At 11 a.m. EDT Monday, Fay was centered 70 miles southeast of Key West. It had maximum winds of 60 mph and was moving northwest near 13 mph.

All the doors are closed, windows are boarded up and there aren't many people here at all, reported CBS' The Early Show weather reporter Dave Price from Key West Monday morning.

Florida has declared a state of emergency and authorities in the Florida Keys closed schools, opened shelters and urged visitors to leave. Residents and tourists, however, seemed in no hurry to evacuate.

Traffic leaving Key West and the Lower Keys on Sunday afternoon was light but steady as the sky darkened with storm clouds and the National Weather Service issued watches and warnings.

Anywhere from 4 to 10 inches of rain are possible, so flooding is a threat even far from where the center comes ashore, said Stacy Stewart, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center.

"We don't want people to focus on the exact track. This is a broad, really diffuse storm. All the Florida Keys and all the Florida peninsula are going to feel the effects of this storm, no matter where the center makes landfall," he said. "We don't want people to downplay this."

Tourists were urged to evacuate but many bars and restaurants were doing business, even if crowds were considerably thinner than typical for this time of year.

Willie Dykes, 58, and friend Essy Pastrana, 48, live on a sailboat in Key West, and said they weren't going anywhere. The pair was filling up gas cans Monday morning and buying supplies like food, water and whiskey.

"We're gonna ride it out," Dykes said, his fluffy white beard blowing sideways in the wind. "We're not worried about it. We've seen this movie before."

Further north in the Keys town of Marathon, Home Depot assistant manager Denis Lee said it seemed like a normal Monday despite the approaching storm.

"Everybody seems to be acting like this is a non-event," Lee said.

At the Stuffed Pig restaurant in Marathon, about a dozen locals had breakfast Monday morning, not worried but prepared for the storm.

"We always prepare, we don't take it lightly," owner Michael Cinque said. "We might roll down the shutters. We got built-in generators."

The last plane left Key West International Airport at about 9:30 a.m. with 19 people aboard, headed to Fort Lauderdale. The airport shut down at half hour later. The last Greyhound bus also left Key West Monday morning nearly empty with just 15 people aboard.

A hurricane watch was in effect for most of the Keys and along Florida's west coast.

Early Monday, a tropical storm warning was issued for Florida's east coast from Sebastian Inlet southward and along Florida's west coast from Bonita Beach southward, including Lake Okeechobee.

A tropical storm warning also remained in effect for the entire Florida Keys. A watch means those conditions might occur within 36 hours. A warning means those conditions are expected within 24 hours.

Officials in the Keys and elsewhere opened shelters and encouraged or ordered people living in low-lying areas and on boats to evacuate. Schools in the Keys were to be closed Monday and Tuesday.

Residents on Florida's Gulf coast were told to make preparations as forecasters said Fay could approach that area Tuesday as a Category 1 storm, with winds from 74 to 95 mph.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain canceled a Monday fundraiser in Miami as a precaution, but he was still expected to speak at the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Orlando.

His presumptive Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, canceled events Sunday in Fort Myers, Clearwater and Tampa. He is scheduled to speak at the VFW on Tuesday.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency Saturday as an emergency operations center opened in Tallahassee. He said 9,000 Florida National Guard troops were available, but only 500 were on active duty Sunday.

Key West was last seriously affected by a hurricane in 2005, when Category 3 Wilma sped past. The town escaped widespread wind damage, but a storm surge flooded hundreds of homes and some businesses. The deadliest storm to hit the island was a Category 4 hurricane in 1919 that killed up to 900 people, many of them offshore on ships that sank.

Bus Accident In Haiti Raises Death Toll

An overloaded bus overturned while trying to drive across a river surging with rain from Tropical Storm Fay, sweeping passengers into the water, officials said.

The United Nations said 2 people were killed as a result of the accident, denying reports that dozens of people were missing and presumed dead.

The bus was trying to cross the Riviere Glace on Haiti's southern peninsula when it flipped.

At least 23 people were rescued from the river, said Silvera Guillaume, the coordinator for Haiti's civil protection department in the area.

Witnesses said at least two other buses crossed the river safely just before the third flipped. David Pierre, one of three mayors of Beaumont, the town where the incident happened, told Radio Metropole that officials have been trying to get a bridge built in the area for years because of flooding.

Five others died from flooding in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Cuba Spared The Worst

Jose Rubiera, Cuba's chief meteorologist, said Fay slammed into Cuba near the little-populated Peninsula de Zapata close to the Bay of Pigs, and sped across the island. He expected it to be out to sea within a few hours, where he said it could likely move to hurricane strength and threaten Florida.

Cuban state media reported little damage or major flooding so far, but authorities in four provinces evacuated nearly 5,000 residents and pulled fishing boats from the water. Officials also set up temporary shelters and food distribution centers.

In central Cienfuegos province, officials suspended traditional carnival celebrations. State media said authorities were ready to "protect" the 24,000 foreign tourists in the famous beach resort of Varadero, but provided no more details.

Winds damaged the roofs of some homes in little-populated areas and water accumulated on roads and highways.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Fay is expected to dump up to 8 inches of rain on Cuba, with 12 inches in isolated cases. It warned that this much rain could produce flash floods and mudslides.

In the city of Niquero, near the southern coast and one of the hardest-hit areas, authorities converted a hotel into a shelter for evacuees.

"It's raining intensely, but the wind comes and goes," said a receptionist at the Hotel Niquero, who said he was not authorized to have his name appear in the foreign press.

Officials also suspended some ferry service on Isla de la Juventud, an island off Cuba's southern coast. In the southeastern province of Granma, a banana plantation sustained minor flooding and storm winds damaged some homes, state media reported.

[mediabrat60]

People are generally stupid.
Look at all the ones that laughed when asked to evacuate Katrina.

[crazycwp]

The people that didn''t evacuate for Katrina couldn''t they were all poor people. No money for gas to get out of the state. mediabrat60 ya don''t know what you''re talking about. Now who''s stupid.

[justicelane]

First post out and it''s gotta be ''people are stupid''. I''m SURE you were in the path of Katrina and evacuated not only yourself and your entire family, but helped your neighbors to safety also! No? Can it. Untill you have been there and done that, don''t judge. I personally did relief and adjustment for a major insurance co (one of only 3 to make it there less than 4 days into the aftermath) and I know, for a fact, that those that I met and saw either didn''t have the resorces to get out, had no where to go if they did, and or were too old or hurt or.... There were no lame excuses offered. Not one person looked at me and stated ''I''m here cause I wanna be''. As for this, Florida is wrought with this weather and people who have live there know how to weather it out for the most part. I know this too, in the last 5 years there has been Jeanne,Francis,Katrina and Wilma. Been there done that, can honestly say I KNOW.People aren''t stupid, just resilient.

[pollroller1]

I just hope that when and if Fay does hit Florida, that everyone is safe. We have had a second home in Florida for the past 5 years. So far we have been lucky with no damage to our place.

[messiahx4eve]

When upwards of 100 to 200 hundred thousand people perish from a natural disaster such as a hurricane on OUR shores, THEN people will start taking these storms here serious and demand the prepaid services from our illustreous FEMA that they have been paying for in higher taxes, and PROPER accountability. Bush administration = chickens with their heads cut off running around.

[dedad1]

al gore was right

You mean the internet WAS his idea?

[slim1h2o]

al gore was right

Posted by jamesm12341 at 10:28 AM : Aug 17, 2008

About what?

[tothestars2]

truth hurts, huh?

[donnie10007]

Most houses in florida, even low budget houses, are made out of cinterblock. I wouldn''t worry too much about it.

[kamsack50]

Shaping up to be another weak year for big hurricanes.
Global warming enthusiasts are desperately hoping for a major hurricane to deliver death and destruction to the gulf states. This latest storm looks like another frustration for them. Sorry.

[flajoe1]

Most houses in florida, even low budget houses, are made out of cinterblock. I wouldn''''t worry too much about it.
-----

Posted by donnie10007 at 04:12 PM

You can''t live in a cinder block house when the roof is gone.

[sunseeker6]

Can you blame the people for not leaving? 50 mph winds? Please spare me- all summer we have had worse than that in the midwest. Last week''s storm had 80 mph winds! No way I''d cut my vacation short either. Go find some real news to report!

[bob5ford]

One of the worst things about the storm is waiting for it. I am directly in the projected path (as of NWS advisory 9A) but it''s not due here until Wednesday afternoon. We have not had a direct hit here in central north Florida that I can remember (60+ years) and I hope we don''t. I am preparing anyway, with everything from a generator to kerosene lanterns and bottled water. Our house is similar to what is called a "cracker shack", a wood house built on concrete blocks laid on the ground. If we get slammed here it WILL be bad, even though it is not densely populated. If the state says evacuate I''m into the motorhome and out of here. Wish us luck.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by sunseeker6 at 08:06 PM : Aug 17, 2008



Wind is not a hurricanes worst thing near an ocean. Strm surge can level everything.

[liberalme]

Wind is not a hurricanes worst thing near an ocean. Strm surge can level everything.
Posted by ToolMangler

Here on the East Coast of Fl, storm surge has degraded our coastline---but the Wind certainly has been the most destructive!

[pfanerk]

Look, we all know that God punishes communities by sending hurricanes to them. I mean, look at New Orleans. What could be more obvious. So, my question is this: What have the good people of the Keys done to annoy God so much? Fornication? Inflation? I mean, really! They must have done something. And when you consider it, all of humanity, even those in the Midwest, must have done something really troubling to God for him to curse them with cancer. Wouldn''t you all agree? So, let''s focus on what''s really important here: What have you people been doing to annoy God so much?

[allurfears]

Maybe Fay will destroy Florida to make up for 8 years of George Bush.

[oneworldusa]

Does it matter whether its the wind or the surge that creates the most devasation? It''s FLORIDA. Anyone living anywhere near coastal Florida knows that Hurricanes happen and I have no sympathy for people who choose not to evacuate or the people with thier million dollar condos on the beach complaining how they''ve ''lost everything.''

[oneworldusa]

Posted by Bob5ford at 09:11 PM : Aug 17, 2008

-I wish you the best and am glad you are taking precautions and prepared to leave if need be. My prior comment was about the whiners, not people like you. Do what you need to do to protect your family. First and foremost. Godspeed, friend.

[rytom64]

The funniest thing is that some of these weather forecaster claim to be hurricane experts, there is no such thing .

[liberalme]

Look, we all know that God punishes communities by sending hurricanes to them. I mean, look at New Orleans. What could be more obvious. So, my question is this: What have the good people of the Keys done to annoy God so much? Fornication? Inflation? I mean, really! They must have done something. And when you consider it, all of humanity, even those in the Midwest, must have done something really troubling to God for him to curse them with cancer. Wouldn''''t you all agree? So, let''''s focus on what''''s really important here: What have you people been doing to annoy God so much?

Posted by pfanerk at 10:47 PM : Aug 17, 2008

You are soooo right!!!!! Just look at yourself---you are "JUDGING" hmmmmmm isn''t that one of the 10 commandments??
Guess we''re all sinners!!!! idiot

[jenny1233-2009]

When George Bush was absent during Katrina, he was celebrating John Mc Cain''s birthday. They were together and there is footage of the film.

To See the footage just Google..."John Mc Cain''s Youtube problem just became a nightmare." and click the choice with John Mc Cain''s picture.

[gop_forever]

People should gather in large groups and pray. Prayer can defect the storm elsewhere so it can hit Gods intended target, sinners.

[rytom64]

If you pray, are you not attempting to change God''s will ?

[jenny1233-2009]

When George Bush was absent during Katrina, he was celebrating John Mc Cain''s birthday. They were together and there is footage of the film.

To See the footage just Google..."John Mc Cain''s Youtube problem just became a nightmare." and click the choice with John Mc Cain''s picture.

[jenny1233-2009]

GOP forever.........that is not prayer it is superstition.

[gop_forever]

rytom64, no they are helping God. By praying they are identifying themselves as a good clean christian and not someone who needs to be smited.

[gop_forever]

jenny1233, superstition? I think you are confused. Christianity is a real religion with a real God and not one of those magic cults.

[rytom64]

GOP_forever :

Doesn''t God already know that, he is all knowing. No need to pray.

[wl7bzh]

You are soooo right!!!!! Just look at yourself---you are "JUDGING" hmmmmmm isn''''t that one of the 10 commandments??
Guess we''''re all sinners!!!! idiot.
-----------------------------
On that thingie about "Judging" being one of the 10 commandments, you might want to read Exodus the 20th chapt. where if memory don''t fail is found the 10 Commandments.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020&version=9;

And I believe you called someone an idiot. ; )

[gop_forever]

GOP_forever :

Doesn''''t God already know that, he is all knowing. No need to pray. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by rytom64
===============================
Yes but if you dont show it by praying he gets mad.

[rytom64]

GOP_forever :
And you know this how ? A man told you ?
This fairy tale never fails to amaze me.

[displeased]

Sighhh...The super humans are out and about today!

[jenny1233-2009]

When George Bush was absent during Katrina, he was celebrating John Mc Cain''s birthday. They were together and there is footage of the film.

To See the footage just Google..."John Mc Cain''s Youtube problem just became a nightmare." and click the choice with John Mc Cain''s picture.

[donnie10007]

I think you people are confusing Christianity and comic books.

[donnie10007]

You know the difference between Christianity and comic books cuz Christianities always the one thats R rated.

[gop_forever]

And you know this how ? A man told you ?
This fairy tale never fails to amaze me. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by rytom64
======================
God told me.

[rytom64]

GOP_forever :

When did they let you out of the asylum ?

[rytom64]

If all you guys are correct about God''s vengence, NYC is way overdue for a natural disaster.

[gop_forever]

If all you guys are correct about God''''s vengence, NYC is way overdue for a natural disaster.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by rytom64
=======================
They got hit 7 years ago when God allowed Satans minions to highjack the planes and make liberals cheer with glee.

[gop_forever]

GOP_forever
GOD HATES YOU GOP_forever & ALSO HATES PAT ROBERTSON. GET YOUR CONDO READY YOUR GOING TO HAVE A GREAT VIEW OF THE LAKE OF FIRE WHEN YOU DIE. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by xmanborg
===================================
You are just jealous to the fact that God loves me more than you.

[d33pthroat1]

If all you guys are correct about God''s vengence, NYC is way overdue for a natural disaster
---------Posted by rytom64
=======================
They got hit 7 years ago when God allowed Satans minions to highjack the planes and make liberals cheer with glee.
----- Posted by GOP_forever

rytom owes GOP_forever a ''Touche!'' :-)
GOP_forever is, of course, trolling.
He almost seems too smart to be a religious fundie or a GOP zombie.

[rytom64]

9/11 was not a natural disaster.

[gop_forever]

Who said they let her out? She could be posting from in there. Wouldn''''t surprise me. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by lilturkey
==================
I live in a very nice estate with my nice christian family thank you.

[gop_forever]

9/11 was not a natural disaster. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by rytom64
==========================
Who said it has to be a natural disaster?

[rytom64]

I said it, that was my point.

[myopinion381]

Posted by GOP_forever at 11:37 AM: I live in a very nice estate with my nice christian family thank you.

Is everyone supposed to be impressed by this? Because, I for one, am not!

[gheemaster38]

Posted by GOP_forever at 11:37 AM: I live in a very nice estate with my nice christian family thank you

I live in a nice 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bathroom brick house sitting on 2 acres that I can afford the payments on (Less then 800 a month) with fireplace. I was wondering couldn''t this be called an estate as well? At least, it feels that way when I am cutting that grass in the hot sun!!

[piercetheval]

...Oh Fay, I guess we won''t C U in CUBA!....Oh Day!

[myopinion381]

GOP: If you have a "nice" estate and a "nice" family, what happened to you? From what I have read from your posts it makes me wonder.