Hurricane Alert in Florida-August 19, 2008

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The tropical storm, Fay has hit Florida on August 19, 2008. In Tuesday morning, Fay, which is the sixth tropical storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, hit Florida Key West at a speed of 60 miles/hour. There has been a hurricane alert in effect in Florida since Monday, August 18. The storm, which is expected to turn into a category 1 hurricane, was due to hit the coastal area of Florida within next few days.

According to the hurricane alert issued by the US National Hurricane Center, Fay was supposed to hit the southwestern coast of Florida (between Flamingo and Maria Island) within next 24 hours. Tropical storm warning is in effect in various parts of the state. The areas, where tropical storm alert has been made in effect include:

• From Anna Maria Island to Tarpon Springs along Florida West Coast
• From Flagler Beach southward to Flamingo (including Lake Okeechobee) along Florida East Coast
• In Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to Key West (including the Dry Tortugas)

From north of Flagler Beach to Fernandina Beach on the east coast of Florida and in the Northwestern Bahamas, tropical storm watch is in effect. In early morning on August 19, the center of Fay was standing at 25.5º north latitude and 81.8º west longitude, about 70 kilometers south of Naples, Florida.

Fay, moving northwards at the speed of 7 miles/hour, was expected to acquire hurricane strength before landfall in Florida. However, during its course over the Florida Peninsula, the storm is likely to lose its power. Maximum wind speed, at which Fay is expected to hit Florida, is between 60 miles/hour and 95 miles/hour.

People of Florida are preparing to face the tropical storm Fay, as there can be additional 10 inches of rainfall due to the storm. Fay can also be life threatening, as there is much possibility of flash floods and mud slides. Storm tide can also reach height of 2-4 feet above normal in the Florida Keys. Tornadoes can also hit the Southern and Central Florida on August 19.