Fay: Crossing Cuba, nearing Keys, getting stronger

ST. PETERSBURG -- Tropical Storm Fay is gathering strength and will continue toward the Florida Keys sometime today and become a hurricane that hits southwest Florida on Tuesday.

Currently, Fay is located about 70 miles south-southeast of Key West and moving north-northwest at about 13 mph, according to a National Hurricane Center 11 a.m. advisory. Heavy wind gusts are reportedly reaching tropical storm force in the Keys and on the state's southeast coast.

Maximum sustained winds are topping 60 mph and are accompanied by stronger gusts, prompting an upgrade from tropical storm warnings to full-fledged hurricane warnings for southwest Florida. Hurricane watches remain in effect for many Florida counties, including Pinellas,  Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk.

Much of the state's east coast remains under tropical storm warnings. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are likely in the next 24 hours.

Fay's loosely-defined center entered the Straits of Florida this morning and is expected to reach the Keys sometime this afternoon or tonight. Forecasters say the system will continue its path for the next 24 hours, with a turn to the north expected Tuesday -- hours earlier than predicted.

"The track used to be running almost parallel to the west coast of Florida, and the track shifted a little to the east," said hurricane specialist Jack Bevan at the National Hurricane Center. "That means it makes landfall a little to the south and little earlier."

Once across Cuba, forecasters were watching the crucial point where the storm crosses Cuba and entered the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where the storm is slowly gaining strength.

Forecasters say heavy rains have already reached the upper Keys, and those strong bands should reach Miami-Dade County today. The storm brings the possibility of isolated tornadoes to the Keys.

Locally, the Tampa Bay area should see strong winds and rain Tuesday.

Early Monday, much of the state remains in the cone of possibility. But forecasters say southwest Florida should continue securing their plans.

"We do expect some strengthening," said Christopher Juckins with the National Hurricane Center. "Today would be a good day to make preparations."

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Comments

[Jason]

Thank you Eric, from Largo.

That was very helpful.

[Elizabeth]

To Eric, especially, Please, Dems, let's unite behind the candidate so that we don't get McCain and 4 more Bush years.

[DG]

We've got the imminent likelihood of a hurricane headed our way. We can see it's progress on the internet and on the news. Scientists will be able to see it's direction and, eventually, where it will land.

Isn't this about the time where Bush goes on vacation only to say after the storm has gone that he had no idea what had taken place? And, gosh darn it, if those rich South Florida folks would only have driven to their vacation homes out of harm's way, any major damage could have been avoided?

[rob]

you're all fools

[BD]

I hope everyone is prepared and all are safe. Just one question? How in the heck did a story about hurricanes become political???? Seriously!!!!

[Tom]

This hurricane is the work of terrorists from one of the axis of evil countries. What happened to our color terror alert system? How the heck am I going to prepare if I don't it's "Orange" today?

We'll make those evil doers pay for sending this hurricane towards our great country.

[john]

Oh yeah...I have my tarps, batteries canned food and bottle of JD...etc..Since I'm about ready to move into my tarp tent full-time!!..

[Jeff]

You folks who try to turn weather information into a political debate really need to get a life!

[Emanuel Abraben]

Unfortunately Florida should take the title of "windy city" away from Chicago.

We have two severe windbags in our State this week ( McCain and Obama) who may be responsible for for the tropical disturbance and ultimate destruction of our State..

[arthur]

'Ray'
Sorry to disappoint you but:
1) I am an independent who voted for Regan, Clinton, Clinton, Gore, Bush (I just couldn't vote for Kerry).
2) I don't know 'John' but ANYONE who sits home going 'whoa is me' and expects the government or anyone else for that matter to feel pity and take care of them is simply lazy weather or not they have an MBA or any other degree\certification or are welfare -recipients...THEY ARE LAZY and looking for handouts. peace~art

[Ray]

The most dangerous storm Florida will ever face -

http://www.hurricanemccain.com/

[john]

Hey Arthur...who says I'm sitting at home doing nothing! I actually have a job at Walmart pushing carts like alot of MBAs I know who cant find decent jobs anymore...Count yourself lucky your day is coming!!

[Ray]

Arthur - for a so called "Independent" your thinking is 100% Republican. John tells us about his misfortune and a true Republican thinker says it is his own fault.

Wrong, wrong. - it is the Republican and Corporate America idea that work is now de-valued to either be done by illegal immigrants if the work cannot be offshored to Indie, China, etc. The Republicans have the middle class on a race to the bottom.

You keep voting for BushMcCain and other Republicans and you will eventually lose everything you have and you'll discover something nice - that it won't be your fault.