Tropical depression forms off North Carolina coast

A few days before hurricane season officially begins, Tropical Depression One is sending an early warning.

According to the National Hurricane Center, an area of low pressure that passed to the east of Cape Hatteras, N.C., yesterday has formed into a tropical cyclone with 35 mph sustained winds and higher gusts and is moving to the northeast. It is not expected to threaten land.

The depression is forecast to become a tropical storm but is expected to weaken or dissipate by Saturday as it moves over colder waters.

Emily Nipps, Times staff writer

*

Paloma gaining strength, moving north

Hurricane Paloma is continuing north toward the Cayman Islands at about 9 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm is now about 110 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman and about 225 miles west of Jamaica. Forecasters expect a gradual turn toward the northeast tonight and Saturday, and the center of Paloma should pass near the Cayman Islands late tonight or early Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are at about 80 mph, and Paloma is still a category-one hurricane. But additional strengthening is likely, increasing the possibility that Paloma will grow to a category-two storm later today and reach category-three levels by Saturday.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

Omar could be Category 2 by late tonight

Click to enlarge

Hurricane Omar continues to gather strength as it moves slowly northeastward toward Puerto Rico, National Hurricane Center forecasters say. It could be a Category 2 hurricane by the time it reaches the northern Leeward Islands late tonight.

The center of the storm is now about 265 miles south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, moving at about 11 mph. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 mph with higher gusts.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Omar expected to strengthen

Hurricane Omar is moving slowly northeastward and predicted to strengthen over the next 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The Category 1 storm is now about 285 south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph. It's moving at about 7 mph and will likely speed up over the next day or two, forecasters say.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Tropical Storm Omar lashes eastern Caribbean

At 2 p.m., the National Hurricane Center located Tropical Storm Omar about 375 miles south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and about 110 miles north of Curacao in the Antilles.

The storm is moving to the southeast near 5 mph. A gradual turn to the east is forecast for later today, with a gradual increase in forward speed and a turn to the northeast expected on Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph. However, reconnaisance aircraft have not finished investigating Omar, and the storm could be found to be stronger. Additional strengthening is forecast over the next 48 hours.

Tropical storm force winds are measured up to 70 miles from the storm's center, mainly in its southeast quadrant. A wind gust of 43 mph was recently reported on Curacao.

Times staff writer

Nana expected to weaken to depression

Tropical Storm Nana remains disorganized as it moves west at about 7 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters predict it will weaken to a tropical depression later today.

The storm is currently about 1,000 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands, and maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

Tropical Storm Marco roars ashore on Mexico's gulf coast

Click to enlarge

MEXICO CITY -- The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Marco is hitting land north of Mexico's Veracruz port on the Gulf coast, the Associated Press reports.

The storm was moving inland at near 8 mph. It dumped up to 4 inches of rain and had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.

Click here for more.

New kid in town, Kyle, gaining strength

Click to enlarge

Tropical Storm Kyle, gaining strength and moving toward the northeast U.S., could be a hurricane by Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

At 5 a.m., Kyle was about 500 miles south-southwest of Bermuda and moving north at 12 mph. A gradual increase in forward speed and a turn toward the north-northwest is expected later today and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph, with the strongest winds forecast to remain west of Bermuda.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Heed that evacuation order, or you may be eaten

HOUSTON -- There are plenty of good reasons for homeowners to evacuate Bolivar Peninsula, a sandy spit of land east of Galveston Island, after Hurricane Ike.

For one thing, some lawmakers have started referring to the area as Bolivar Island, as Ike's storm surge washed out sections of the peninsula, and any homes still standing are cut off from the mainland. For another, those homes have no power -- and no hope of getting power any time soon, as the storm eliminated the infrastructure necessary to restore power to the island. There is also no drinking water supply, and no timetable for restoring it.

But perhaps the best reason for homeowners to wish they'd left when they had the chance has stripes, and it's apparently hungry. Just after the storm passed through, there were reports that an exotic pet owner had holed up in a Baptist church on the peninsula with his lion. But reports continue that a tiger that somehow escaped its enclosure during the storm is apparently still on the loose.

And authorities are apparently worried about what might happen when that tiger starts getting hungry. Law enforcement officials said tonight that helicopters have begun dropping food for the tiger in hopes that a supply of easy-to-find food will make the residents who remained to ride out the storm look like less attractive prey.

Ken Walker, Times staff writer

Calm before the next storm?

With Ike's winds and rains only memories and recovery efforts in Texas underway, the warm waters of the Atlantic are eerily still. Other than a batch of non-threatening tropical waves scattered over the ocean, forecasters from the National Hurricane Center say it's all quiet -- for now. "No tropical cyclone at this time,'' the center's web site says.

"We've got a break," said Dennis Feltgen, the center's spokesman. "But the U.S. is by no means out of the woods. We still have a lot of season to go."

The hurricane season runs June 1-Nov. 30. Feltgen said September and October are the peak months for Florida, but it's not unusual to have a lull. More storms are sure to build soon. He said during this part of the season waters off Africa tend to cool off, and storms begin forming in the Caribbean Sea, putting Florida's west coast at a higher risk. Monster Wilma in 2005 was a perfect example, he said.

Feltgen said the four tropical waves in the Atlantic now are not expected to become storms. Each season typically sees up to 80 of those low-pressure areas, and only one in about 10 ever develops into something larger. But it's no reason to pack away your galoshes and flashlights.

"For crying out loud, if you haven't done it yet, please get a hurricane plan," Feltgen said. "The state of Florida was very fortunate to largely be spared by Hurricane Ike, but we can clearly see what these storms can do. It will happen sometime."

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike closing in on Texas

Click to enlarge

Hurricane Ike's on its way to landfall, and it's not slowing down. As Texas braces for the storm's already more than 100-mph winds, forecasters say the storm is likely to grow.

Still Category 2 at 7 a.m., Ike is about 230 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas, and moving at 13 mph. The center of the storm should be near the upper Texas coast by late today or early Saturday, with related squally weather reaching coastal areas long before that.

A hurricane warning remains in effect from Morgan City, La., to Baffin Bay, Texas. The area south of Baffin Bay to Port Mansfield, Texas, and the Mississippi-Alabama border, is under a tropical storm warning.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike a little stronger, a little faster

As Hurricane Ike continues across the Gulf toward Texas, it's gaining strength and speed, just like they said it would. The Category 2 storm now has winds near 105 mph and is moving at 13 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Ike is expected to turn toward the northwest later today, with another turn toward the north on Saturday The center of the storm will hit the upper Texas coast by late today or early Saturday, but its effects will be felt long before then. It's now about 365 miles east of Corpus Christi, Texas.

The storm will likely bring rainfall of 5 to 10 inches over eastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana, with 15 inches possible in some places. Isolated tornadoes are possible today and tonight over parts of southern Louisiana, Mississippi and southeastern Texas.

Forecasters say more strengthening is all but certain before Ike makes landfall.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

New Port Richey streets soaked

Harold Windlan walks through flood waters outside his home on Bellview Avenue in New Port Richey on Thursday morning. A high tide, pushed by Hurricane Ike in the Gulf, flooded streets in the area as water continues to crest over the seawall (in the background) along the Pithlachascotee River. Windlan said residents are used to the problem, often having to park their cars down the road on higher ground. "We don't live on the river, we live in the river," Windlan said. [BRENDAN FITTERER | Times]

Bayshore soggy, joggers splashed

The driver of a Hummer exits on to Davis Islands from Bayshore Blvd in Tampa. [SKIP O'ROURKE | Times]

TAMPA -- With Hurricane Ike hundreds of miles away, high tide in Tampa Bay this morning brought choppy water sloshing onto Bayshore Boulevard.

At about 11 a.m., the entrance to Davis Islands was slightly flooded, but not impassibly so. Joggers and bikers dodged sea spray along the sidewalk.

Down at Ballast Point Park, George Illes was setting up for business as usual at the Taste of Boston restaurant.

"If I get flooded out here, I don't know what I'd do," Illes, the restaurant's owener, said. "But they say this is as high as it's going to get."

Indeed, it was nearing the end of high tide, and though waves were nearly breaching the seawall, the outdoor deck of his restaurant was dry as a bone. Illes said he's not worried -- so not worried, in fact, that he's never bought flood insurance.

"I guess if something does happen, it'll be out of my own pocket," he said.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

St. Petersburg police re-open Shore Acres

ST. PETERSBURG -- Police re-opened streets in Shore Acres after closing them this morning because of flooding and drivers who failed to slow down.

Police at checkpoints said water was quickly receding and re-opened these intersections at about 3 p.m.: Shore Acres Boulevard NE and Overlook Drive, on the south end of the island, and 40th Avenue NE at Connecticut Avenue. Police blamed the closures on drivers who drove too quickly through the flooded streets, pushing water into people's lawns and near their houses.

Water levels have risen as Hurricane Ike churned west across the Gulf of Mexico. Water levels should subside later today as Ike moves farther west.

St. Petersburg Police spokesman George Kajtsa said today's flooding is less serious than Wednesday's.

Curtis Krueger, Times staff writer

More flooding, as Ike stirs gulf

Hurricane Ike is causing flooding similar to yesterday's in several bay area neighborhoods, but Friday should be a little drier, according to meteorologists for Bay News 9.

So far, meteorologist Julie Marquez said, flooding has been reported in Shore Acres in St. Petersburg, in Gulfport on Shore Boulevard and in Tarpon Springs on Martin Luther King Boulevard, Wickham Road and Banana Street.

Tides have been as much as four feet above normal, with high tide expected around noon. As Ike moves away from Florida and toward Texas Friday and this weekend, conditions should improve, Marquez said.

Friday's tides will be about two feet higher than normal, said Mike Clay, Bay News 9 chief meteorologist. High tides are expected Friday at 2:09 a.m. and 12.35 p.m.

Clay said the storm is stirring up the Gulf of Mexico like a bathtub, causing huge swells that are lapping against coastal areas around the Gulf. Clay said Ike has shown residents who have experienced flooding that they should be worried about storms that actually head toward Tampa Bay.

"Look what’s happened with a Category 2 hurricane 400 miles away from us," Clay said. "Imagine what would happen if it were 100 miles away or 50 miles away."

Kim Wilmath and Stephanie Garry, Times staff writer

Ike sticks to path toward Texas

Hurricane Ike is moving at about 10 mph toward the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, on a path nearing the coast of Texas, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm was about 575 miles east of Brownsville, about 270 miles south-southeast of the Mississippi River, at 7 a.m. Forecasters say a general west-northwestward motion over the Gulf is expected today, which should put the storm near land by late Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph with higher gusts. The storm could intensify to Category 3 strength in coming days.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike continues over Gulf as a Category 2

Hurricane Ike, which has grown to a Category 2 storm, was continuing west-northwestward at around 9 mph over the Gulf of Mexico at 4 a.m. today, National Hurricane Center forecasters said. Maximum sustained winds were near 100 mph.

By late Friday, the storm is expected to reach the Gulf's northwestern coast, possibly strengthening to a Category 3 hurricane by then.

A hurricane watch is in effect from Cameron, La., west to Port Mansfield, Texas. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Mississippi-Alabama border to east of Cameron, La., and a tropical storm watch is in place along the Gulf's northern coast up to the Mississippi-Alabama border, including New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike growing as it churns in southeastern Gulf

Hurricane Ike is gaining size and strength as it makes its way closer to the U.S., now in the southeastern Gulf about 200 miles west-southwest of Key West.

The storm is still moving at about 8 mph, but its maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 mph within the last three hours, according to the National Hurricane Center. It's still a Category 1 storm, with more strengthening expected.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike pushes high tides higher in St. Petersburg

[Don and Sandy Troublefield of Largo,left, and their granddaughter Kneely Morgan watch a wave break against the jetty on the south end of Clearwater Beach Wednesday while looking for shells. Jim Damaske, Times]

See more photos here.

Water pushed into low-lying areas around Tampa Bay by Hurricane Ike is receding after high tide this morning.

Tides were about four feet higher than average about 10 or 11 a.m., but water around the area has receded about a foot and a half since this morning, said Bay News 9 chief meteorologist Mike Clay. He said people should remember that the minor flooding is saltwater, not fresh, from swells pushed into Tampa Bay by Hurricane Ike. He advised people not to drive in it.

Clay said today's water levels will probably be a little higher than tomorrow's because the bay area was already experiencing a higher than normal tide. Tonight's tide will be very low.

"The water's going to stay up tomorrow," Clay said.

There have been minor breaches of seawalls along St. Pete Beach, but no major damage reported so far, said Josh Linker, a meteorologist with Bay News 9.

Residents could see similar higher water levels tomorrow -- about two to three feet over average high tide levels.

Linker said Old Port Tampa and Port Manatee saw similar tides, but levels should begin dropping soon.

The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory and a coastal flooding statement for Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties. The weather service says these conditions could cause dangerous rip currents, as well as "minor coastal flooding in vulnerable locations as well as possible beach erosion."

Kim Wilmath and Curtis Krueger, Times staff writers

Little change in Ike, moving toward northwest

Hurricane Ike is still a Category 1 storm with winds at about 85 mph near the western tip of Cuba. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center expect the storm to move toward the west-northwest later today and gain strength across the Gulf of Mexico.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect from west of Key West to the Dry Tortugas, and the Cuban provinces of Matanzas, La Habana, Ciudad de Habana, Pinar Del Rio and the Isle of Youth.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike pounding Cuba, Key West unlikely to bear its brunt

Residents in the Florida Keys can breathe easier, with Ike not likely to hit the area and a tropical storm warning discontinued.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is moving west-northwest at about 8 mph, near the western tip of Cuba as of 5 a.m. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Cuban provinces of Matanzas, La Habana, Ciudad de Habana, Pinar Del Rio, the Isle of Youth and areas west of Key West to the Dry Tortugas. Ike's westweard motion is expected to continue for the next day or two.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph. Ike is currently a Category 1 storm, but it could become a major hurricane again once it moves into the open waters of the central Gulf of Mexico.

Coastal storm surge flooding along the coasts of Cuba should subside today, while dangerous waves and rip currents are possible off Florida's coasts, and isolated tornadoes and waterspouts are possible for the Florida Keys.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike heads past Key West

The state Emergency Operation Center is still monitoring Hurricane Ike, which was a Category 1 hurricane as of 11 a.m. It's located about 155 miles southwest of Key West.

Gov. Charlie Crist cautioned people in the Florida Keys against driving or playing in the surf. Schools and community colleges in Monroe County remain closed.

"Even though it appears to be heading west, away from Florida, I want to stress the need to remain vigilant. We have three months left in this hurricane season," Crist said.

Tropical storm strength winds have caused some tornadoes in Collier in Monroe counties, although there have been no reports of damage or injuries, emergency operations chief Craig Fugate said.

State meteorologist Ben Nelson said that the tropical storm winds could cause about three to four feet of storm surge.

Jennifer Liberto, Times staff writer

Ike expected to reach the gulf on Wednesday

Hurricane Ike is making its expected path away from Cuba and into the southeastern Gulf, straight toward Texas and away from the Florida coast, forecasters said this morning.

Moving west at 13 mph with maximum winds at 80 mph, Ike is expected to clear Cuba later today before turning north. The powerful storm is expected to gain strength as it enters the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, according to a 5 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Still, it is hard to say for certain that Ike will not veer east and touch down in Louisiana or make landfall in East Texas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would wait 24 to 48 hours until issuing evacuation notices.

At 5 a.m., as Ike made its way to the far western shores of Cuba, the government discontinued hurricane warnings east of Matanzas. Warnings remain in effect for Matanzas and the far western provinces of La Habana, Ciudad de Habana, Pinar Del Rio and the Isle of Youth, according to the weather service.

Ike already has taken hundreds of lives and caused damage or destruction to hundreds of homes in Cuba and Haiti.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Florida Keys and much of the Cayman Islands.

The storm continues to pose threats of large swells and life-threatening rip currents and waves to the southeastern United States. It may also deliver isolated tornadoes and waterspouts in the Florida Keys, forecasters say.

Luis Perez, Times Staff Writer and The Associated Press

Evacuation orders canceled for Florida Keys

The Associated Press reports that Monroe County authorities have canceled their evacuation orders for residents of the Florida Keys ahead of Hurricane Ike. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, the storm's expected track will be well south and west of the Keys. A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch remain in effect for the island chain.

Times staff writer

Crist: Ike remains 'powerful, dangerous'

With CNN behind him showing Hurricane Ike savaging Cuba, Gov. Charlie Crist said Florida must remain concerned about the storm as it could intensify in the Gulf. The Keys, which is under a mandatory evacuation, should begin feeling the effect late this afternoon.

"It remains a powerful, dangerous storm," Crist said at an 11 a.m. briefing at the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee.

At 11 a.m., Ike remained a category 2 hurricane and was 45 miles west, southwest of Cuba and 330 miles southeast of the Keys. It had maximum winds of 100 mph and was moving west at 14 mph. "We'll hope that speed continues so that will cut down the rainfall amounts," said state meteorologist Ben Nelson. The downside, he added, is that Ike could strengthen in the Gulf as it heads toward the panhandle.

Officials cautioned people to stay out of the water as dangerous rip currents form in hurricanes. Several people drown during tropical storm Fay last month. "Follow what the governor says: Be smart, be safe, be a survivor," said state disaster chief Craig Fugate.

Alex Leary, Times staff writer

Hurricane Ike pounds Cuba

Hurricane Ike hovered over Cuba as a Category 2 storm this morning as forecasters continued to study its path into the Gulf of Mexico.

Some 15,000 tourists fled the Florida Keys on Sunday, where only hardy locals remained to brave out the storm. On Sunday night, President Bush ordered a state of emergency for Florida.

Ike closing in on eastern Cuba as a Category 3

With sustained winds dropping to 120 miles per hour, Ike has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane.

According to the 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Ike is about 75 miles north-northeast of Guantanamo, Cuba, and is moving westward at 14 miles per hour. The storm is expected to sweep across eastern and central Cuba tonight and Monday before emerging in the Gulf of Mexico sometime Tuesday.

Ike’s three-day projected path takes it into the central Gulf and away from the Keys, which are under a mandatory evacuation order. With the current forecast, about 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected in the Keys.

On Sunday, President George W. Bush issued a state of emergency for Florida, which will make available federal aid and allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts, if needed.

Rita Farlow, Times staff writer

Sunday in the Keys with Ike

Florida again appears to have dodged a direct hit from a major hurricane. Ike has the Keys under a hurricane watch in preparation for impact Tuesday. A little more than a week after Tropical Storm Fay grazed the Keys, Ike has prompted a mandatory evacuation of all Keys residents and tourists by 4 p.m. Sunday.

But after Fay proved to be weaker in the Keys than feared, the question is just how seriously most Keys residents are taking Ike's evacuation order.

"I'm pretty sure most people in South Florida started looking at the track last night and this morning and are breathing a sigh of relief. My concern is that people in the Keys will do the same. They should not," state emergency management chief Craig Fugate said. He cautioned island residents not to delay their evacuation until "the escape route is blocked by a hurricane ... This is not a time to second-guess a hurricane watch or local officials."

The Keys has a 69 percent chance of sustaining tropical storm force winds and a 21 percent chance of getting sustained hurricane force winds from Ike. Tropical storm conditions over the Keys are likely Monday night and Tuesday.

State meteorologist Ben Nelson urged Floridians to watch the storm's wider cone, not the "skinny black line" that projects the track of the storm's center. "Heed the advice of the governor and local officials," Nelson said. About a week from now, Ike could pose a threat to the western Panhandle, but it is still too soon to tell. Ike is likely to weaken and slow down as it gets out in the Gulf, "and that complicates the forecast," Nelson said. 

Gov. Charlie Crist planned to keep an eye on Ike but he also hoped to catch some of the Bucs-Saints NFL game Sunday afternoon on TV from New Orleans.

-- Steve Bousquet, Tallahassee Bureau Chief

Ike over Cuba; evacuation in the Keys

As of ll a.m. today, category-4 Hurricane Ike was moving northwestward across Cuba. It was 550 miles southeast of Miami, with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph. Florida officials have ordered a mandatory evacuation from Key West to the Middle Keys, warning that today is the day to evacuate. Officials also advised residents to watch the cone where the hurricane is projected to hit, not the projected path of the eye. Gov. Charlie Crist warned residents and visitors to stay out of the surf to avoid rip currents. The governor has called up the state's national guard and is talking with federal officials to prepare for the storm.

-Theresa Blackwell, Times staff writer

Hanna loses tropical characteristics as it moves through New England

Click to enlarge

At 5 a.m. Sunday morning, all tropical storm warnings in connection with Hanna were discontinued.

The last reported location of the center of the storm was about 60 miles north of Chatham, mass., and about 350 miles west-southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was moving to the northeast near 36 mph, with maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph. Little change in strength or direction was expected. Tropical storm strength winds were measured up to 200 miles from the storm's center, mostly over water to the east and south.

The sunday morning advisory was the last planned on Hanna by the National Hurricane Center.

Times staff writer

NHC: Ike headed to central Gulf

The National Hurricane Center shifted the projected path of Hurricane Ike farther from the Tampa Bay area tonight, but it is a bit more confident that Ike will be a strong storm in the central Gulf of Mexico some time late this week.

The 11 p.m. update says Hurricane Ike has maintained Category 4 strength with about 135 mile an hour winds today as it approaches the Bahamas. It's still expected to sweep Cuba from east to west and weaken into a Category 1 before powering up again in the warm waters of the Gulf. The latest forecast shows it becoming a Category 3 on Thursday night as it heads in the direction of Louisiana and Texas.

Hurricane Hunters spotted a distinct eye this evening. The National Hurricane Center also noted that computer models have come into better alignment and have shifted slightly west, moving the storm's projected path a little farther from the Tampa Bay area. The west coast of Florida is now on the edge of the cone of uncertainty in the five-day forecast.

Stephanie Garry, Times staff writer

Ike grows to Category 4

Hurricane Ike strengthened into a Category 4 storm today, but forecasters shifted its predicted path a little farther south, which could bring the storm over Cuba and weaken it into a Category 1.

In its 5 p.m. update, the National Hurricane Center reported Ike had become a Category 4, an "extremely dangerous" storm with 135 mph winds. The wind shear that had been keeping the storm in check slackened today, allowing the storm favorable conditions to strengthen. The hurricane center warned that the storm could intensify even more before making landfall in Cuba on Sunday afternoon.

The five-day forecast shows Ike regaining strength and becoming a Category 3 storm as it leaves Cuba and heads into the Gulf of Mexico south of the Florida Keys. Meteorologists again shifted its track south today, giving it more time over Cuba and a direction toward the north Gulf rather than the west coast of Florida. Nevertheless, the Tampa Bay area still lies within the cone of uncertainty in the five-day forecast.

The biggest factor steering the storm is a low-pressure area that's expected to open up north of the storm, allowing it to turn north and slow down. The models disagree on how the trough will affect the storm, with some calling for it to continue in a westerly direction while others show it turning more sharply north.

Stephanie Garry, Times staff writer

Ike still heading toward gulf

Hurricane Ike did little overnight to change its predicted path toward the Gulf of Mexico.

As of the 2 p.m. forecast, Ike was moving west-southwest at 15 mph with sustained winds of 115 mph. The current forecasted track puts Ike in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico early Thursday morning.

The hurricane should between moving more toward the west beginning Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Ike is currently a category three hurricane. Though some fluctuations are possible during the next 48 hours, it's expected to stay at major hurricane status during this time.

Officials in the Florida Keys on Saturday began a mandatory evacuation for all visitors as Ike approaches.

Josephine dissipates over the far eastern Atlantic

Click to enlarge

At 5 a.m. Saturday, the center of Tropical Depression Josephine was about855 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands. The storm was moving to the west-northwest at around 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph. Forecasts call for the storm to pick up speeds as winds in the remnants of the storm dwindle in coming days.

Times staff writer

Tolls lifted on some roads to help Keys evacuate

Tolls will be lifted on some South Florida roads starting Saturday morning to help people evacuate from the Florida Keys for Hurricane Ike.

Beginning at 9 a.m., tolls are suspended on Florida's Turnpike northbound from beginning to end. Tolls are also lifted on the northbound Sawgrass Expressway and Interstate 75 east and west, also known as Alligator Alley.

People who use SunPass and other automatic toll passes may hear their transponders beep, but their accounts will not be charged.

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

Ike headed to northern Cuba

The National Hurricane Center shifted the path of Hurricane Ike slightly south in its 11 p.m. update.

Ike is moving about 16 mph with maximum winds of 115 mph.

Northern winds that have beaten back Ike as it moves south-west toward the Bahamas are expected to lessen in the next day, meaning the well-organized storm will likely strengthen as it heads into the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. After the wind shear, the only obstacle for Ike could be land. But it is now expected to pass just north of the island, which may not weaken it much.

The five-day forecast now shows Ike heading into the middle of the Gulf, potentially affecting western Florida.

Stephanie Garry, Times staff writer

All eyes on 'extremely dangerous' Hurricane Ike

The National Hurricane Center is calling Ike an "extremely dangerous hurricane" as it approaches the Bahamas as a Category 3 storm.

With maximum winds about 115 miles an hour, Ike has not strengthened so far because of a northerly wind shear. But that is expected to dissipate in the next day or so, meaning Ike could rapidly strengthen late this weekend. The current forecast shows it could be a Category 4 storm as it clears the Bahamas on Monday.

On Thursday, it seemed Ike would head north before reaching Florida, putting the east coast of Florida in its path. But today's updates have shifted the storm's possible track south, so that it is now expected to strike the Bahamas before swiping northern Cuba and heading into the Gulf on Tuesday. Still, that prediction is part of the five-day forecast, which is generally unreliable.

Stephanie Garry, Times staff writer

Crist declares state of emergency due to Ike

In preparation for Hurricane Ike, which may hit South Florida next week, Gov. Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency. Download a copy of the official declaration here.

Joni James, Times staff writer

Hanna nearing hurricane strength, moving quickly northward

Storm warnings are in affect along the Atlantic coast from Georgia to New Jersey as Tropical Storm Hanna builds up before its final push inland.

An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance flight found the center of Hanna farther east than reported earlier. At 2 p.m., the storm was about 160 miles east-northeast of Daytona Beach, about 310 miles south of Wilmington, N.C.

The storm is moving to the north at nearly 20 mph, and that general motion is expected to continue for the rest of the day. A turn to the northeast, accompanied by an increase in the storm's forward speed, is forecast for Saturday, but the center of the storm will be near the southeastern coast tonight.

Hanna off the east coast of Florida, warnings extend northward

Tropical Storm Hanna, moving toward the northwest at about 20 mph, will be near the southeast U.S. coast by tonight, causing coastal storm-surge flooding, heavy rainfall from South Carolina to Pennsylvania and possible tornadoes in the Carolinas.

At 11 a.m., the center of the storm was about 100 miles east of Daytona Beach with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. Only slight strengthening is predicted prior to landfall, though it's still possible Hanna could become a hurricane before then.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from parts of Georgia to New Jersey. Tropical storm conditions are expected there within the next 24 hours.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Josephine slightly weaker

Maximum sustained winds for Tropical Storm Josephine have decreased to about 45 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters expect this gradual weakening to continue during the next 45 hours.

At 11 a.m., the storm was almost 700 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands, moving toward the west-northwest at about 8 mph, and this general motion will likely continue during in coming days.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike could force mass evacuations

Gov. Charlie Crist says the danger to Florida posed by Hurricane Ike is real and growing. He will head to Miami on Saturday to meet with local officials from the four-county South Florida region, and says it may become necessary to evacuate as many as 1.3-million people from the low-lying Keys, mobile home parks and other vulnerable areas.

Another possibility, Crist said, is converting I-95 to one-way northbound traffic, if necessary, to make a mass exodus more efficient. Ike is a Category 3 storm packing 120-mile-per-hour winds and is projected to reach the Florida peninsula on Tuesday.

"When they (evacuations) might start is sometime later," Crist said. "This storm is still a long way away but we want to be prepared. We want to lean forward ... and make sure we're ahead of the curve."

The weather this weekend, for a full schedule of college and pro football, is projected to be great across the state -- literally the calm before the storm. State meteorologist Ben Nelson urged Floridians to take advantage and be fully prepared for the wrath of Ike. "There's no excuse," Nelson said.

Steve Bousquet, Times Tallahassee bureau chief

Ike now forecast to move into gulf

An 11 a.m. forecast from the National Hurricane Center shows Hurricane Ike rounding the Florida Keys and heading into the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's west coast early next week.

At 11 a.m., the center of Hurricane Ike was about 550 miles east-northeast of Grand Turk Island, moving toward the west near 16 mph. Further movement to the west or west-southwest is forecast for today and tomorrow, with a gradual turn expected to begin by Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph with higher gusts. Ike is a Category 3 storm, and while some weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours, it is expected to be a major hurricane within days. At the moment, hurricane-force winds extend up to 35 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds up to 105 miles from the center.

Ken Walker, Times staff writer

Hanna continues northwest

Tropical Storm Hanna is steadily continuing its trek toward the coastal Carolinas, moving at about 18 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is now about 115 miles east of Melbourne, Fl., and the center of the storm is expected to reach the southeast U.S. coast later today.

Maximum sustained winds remain around 65 mph, and only slight strengthening is predicted before the storm makes landfall, forecast for early Saturday.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Southeast braces for Hanna as Ike strengthens

Some Southeastern states declared emergencies and officials urged residents to head inland Thursday as Tropical Storm Hanna headed toward the Atlantic coast, where it could bring high winds and rain from South Carolina to Maine, the Associated Press reported early this morning.

Meanwhile, disaster planners eyed ferocious-looking Hurricane Ike strengthening in the Atlantic. And with power outages and problems from Hurricane Gustav lingering in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and relief groups found themselves juggling three storms.

Click here for the latest from the Associated Press.

Little change in strength expected for Josephine today

Tropical Storm Josephine is not expected to bulk up in the next 24 hours, currently moving northwestward at 9 mph with winds at about 50 mph. The National Hurricane Center puts the storm at about 665 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Monster Ike moves west

Hurricane Ike, with winds near 125 mph, is moving west at about 15 mph. The Category 3 storm is now about 740 miles north of the Leeward Islands and could be near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas by Sunday.

Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center say some weakening is possible in the next few days, but Ike is expected to remain a major hurricane as it makes its way toward the U.S.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Hanna moves northwestward, will likely miss Florida

Tropical Storm Hanna is moving toward the eastern U.S. coast at about 20 mph, currently about 400 miles south of North Carolina. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A tropical storm warning is in place from parts of Georgia to Virginia, and a tropical storm watch extends from Virginia to New Jersey. Hanna is expected to produce four to six inches of rain from coastal South Carolina through eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, with 10 inches of rain possible in certain places. Florida will likely see only one to two inches of rain.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Ike could be Category 3, TS Hanna won't strengthen

Ike

The National Weather Service is predicting Hurricane Ike could be a category 3 hurricane as it nears the Florida peninsula, but forecasts are inconsistent on its strength.

The storm may stumble as it encounters wind shear and cooler waters churned up by Hurricane Hanna. One model shows it weakening into a category 1 as it brushes the northern side of Cuba early next week.

As of 5 p.m., the National Hurricane Center reported that the storm still has a strong eyewall but has shrunk in size today.

It's still unclear what parts of Florida might be affected. The unreliable five-day forecasts puts most the Florida peninsula in the cone.

Hanna

Hanna is expected to be a strong topical storm when it makes landfall in the Carolinas Saturday afternoon.

The latest report on Hanna says its center has wobbled but the forecast has not changed.

Dry air from the southeast and wind shear are keeping the storm from turning into a hurricane. The 5 p.m. National Hurricane Center advisory reported that none of the computer models are showing Hanna becoming a hurricane. Its top wind speeds are expected to be about 65 miles an hour.