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| ROCK COUNTY NOW DAILY NEWS: U.S. |
Fay looks like it could be a 'boomerang storm'
FORT PIERCE, Florida (AP) -- Tropical Storm Fay moved just off
Florida's east coast early Wednesday after spawning at least seven
reported tornadoes that ripped across sections of the state, the
National Hurricane Center said.
The storm is expected to hug Florida's Atlantic coastline and
strengthen slightly before making a hard left back into northeastern
Florida, according to the hurricane center. "This storm is going to be
with us for a while," said Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. "Looks like it could
Florida's east coast early Wednesday after spawning at least seven
reported tornadoes that ripped across sections of the state, the
National Hurricane Center said.
The storm is expected to hug Florida's Atlantic coastline and
strengthen slightly before making a hard left back into northeastern
Florida, according to the hurricane center. "This storm is going to be
with us for a while," said Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. "Looks like it could
be a boomerang storm." A hurricane watch has been issued for Florida's east coast, from north of
Flagler Beach to Altamaha Sound in Georgia.
Fay weakened Wednesday morning, with the maximum sustained winds decreasing to 45 mph (70
kph), with higher gusts, forecasters said.
As of 8 a.m. ET, the center of the storm was close to Cape Canaveral, the hurricane center said. Fay
was traveling north at 5 mph (7 kph).
The storm is expected to make a turn north in the next 12 to 24 hours, likely remaining on the edge of
east-central or northeastern Florida until Thursday, the center said.
Fay buffeted Lake Okeechobee with high winds Tuesday afternoon as it moved north and northeast
through Florida, leaving a trail of flooding, broken trees and tens of thousands of power outages.
At least seven tornadoes, spinoffs from Fay, were reported in eastern Florida.
A Brevard County tornado that hit about 1:45 p.m. damaged more than 50 homes, rendering nine of
them uninhabitable, according to the county's emergency operations center. Three people sustained
minor injuries.
A possible twister hit Wellington in Palm Beach County, where a small barn was ripped from its
foundation, authorities said.
Steve Delai, deputy chief of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, said he could not confirm a tornado had
hit the southeast county but added the damage was "consistent with a tornado."
Fay is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches over east-central and northeastern
Florida, with possible maximum amounts of 15 inches. Three to 5 inches of rain were possible in the
northwestern Bahamas.
Fay came ashore early Tuesday at Cape Romano south of Marco Island on Florida's southwestern
coast after making landfall Sunday night in western Cuba and then again Monday afternoon over Key
West.
Cindy Lou Corum, who lives in Palm Beach County, said her home was surrounded by water.
"I'm going to need a rowboat to get out of my house," she said. "I may have to swim out."
Concern about Fay's strength also led school officials in Broward County to delay the start of the school
year, which was supposed to begin Monday.
Crist said 31 schools were closed in the region Tuesday as a precaution. Four, including Brevard
County, will be closed Wednesday.
Flagler Beach to Altamaha Sound in Georgia.
Fay weakened Wednesday morning, with the maximum sustained winds decreasing to 45 mph (70
kph), with higher gusts, forecasters said.
As of 8 a.m. ET, the center of the storm was close to Cape Canaveral, the hurricane center said. Fay
was traveling north at 5 mph (7 kph).
The storm is expected to make a turn north in the next 12 to 24 hours, likely remaining on the edge of
east-central or northeastern Florida until Thursday, the center said.
Fay buffeted Lake Okeechobee with high winds Tuesday afternoon as it moved north and northeast
through Florida, leaving a trail of flooding, broken trees and tens of thousands of power outages.
At least seven tornadoes, spinoffs from Fay, were reported in eastern Florida.
A Brevard County tornado that hit about 1:45 p.m. damaged more than 50 homes, rendering nine of
them uninhabitable, according to the county's emergency operations center. Three people sustained
minor injuries.
A possible twister hit Wellington in Palm Beach County, where a small barn was ripped from its
foundation, authorities said.
Steve Delai, deputy chief of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, said he could not confirm a tornado had
hit the southeast county but added the damage was "consistent with a tornado."
Fay is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches over east-central and northeastern
Florida, with possible maximum amounts of 15 inches. Three to 5 inches of rain were possible in the
northwestern Bahamas.
Fay came ashore early Tuesday at Cape Romano south of Marco Island on Florida's southwestern
coast after making landfall Sunday night in western Cuba and then again Monday afternoon over Key
West.
Cindy Lou Corum, who lives in Palm Beach County, said her home was surrounded by water.
"I'm going to need a rowboat to get out of my house," she said. "I may have to swim out."
Concern about Fay's strength also led school officials in Broward County to delay the start of the school
year, which was supposed to begin Monday.
Crist said 31 schools were closed in the region Tuesday as a precaution. Four, including Brevard
County, will be closed Wednesday.
