Fay regains strength as it moves across Florida
The tropical storm brings 5 to 10 inches of rain to many areas, and a hurricane watch is posted for north Florida and Georgia. Also, flooding remains a danger in many areas of the South and Southwest.
Tropical Storm Fay slowly made its wet way across Florida today, as it gained force and unleashed fierce rains, possible floods and tornadoes.
Carrying winds of 65 mph, Fay made landfall this morning but initially did not have enough strength to become a hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center website, which tracks storms.
But by late afternoon, Fay grew stronger than it had ever been, the center noted, and a hurricane watch was posted for portions of north Florida and Georgia.
As of 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Fay was about 60 miles south-southwest of Melbourne, Fla. It was moving north and east at a scant 8 mph and heading across Florida, where it could be further rejuvenated by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Fay crossed the Florida Keys on Monday and came ashore at 5 a.m. at Cape Romano, just south of Naples, Fla. About 14 deaths were attributed to the storm that made its way across the Caribbean.
Even though today's winds were less than hurricane force, 74 mph, the danger of flooding remained. Fay brought between 5 and 10 inches of rain to many areas and was pushing tides up to 3 feet above normal, according to the hurricane center. Tornadoes also remained a possibility, the center said.
No major damage was reported, but authorities said about 58,000 homes in South Florida were without power. Tornadoes were also spotted in Brevard County, where 51 homes were damaged.
Today's possible flooding in Florida was part of a pattern that has plagued the region for days. Unrelated flooding has been reported in parts of Oklahoma and Texas and near the Grand Canyon.
According to the National Weather Service website, a flash flood watch remains in effect for all of deep South Texas, about nine counties including Starr.
Heavy rains, up to 13 inches, have been reported in recent days, and new thunderstorms are expected to bring another 2 to 4 inches to parts of the Rio Grande Valley today.
The Rio Grande Valley's main highway was open to traffic again today as flooding receded after up to 13 inches of rain fell across southern Texas.
The deluge formed a pool several miles long and at least a mile wide that covered parts of Escobares and Los Saenz, small communities east of Roma, Texas. About 750 homes were evacuated in Starr County, officials said.
Meanwhile, the cleanup and rescues continued. Television footage on CNN showed rescue workers traveling by boat in parts of Oklahoma.
No fatalities were reported, but dozens of people remained in rescue centers today.
About 10,000 people live in Roma, about 210 miles south of San Antonio.
Days of heavy rain also caused flooding in the Supai area on Bureau of Indian Affairs land in Arizona, about 70 miles from Grand Canyon Village.
More than 150 people had been evacuated and taken to rescue centers in Arizona when flood waters rose on Sunday and an earthen dam burst.
There had been fears that some hikers were missing, but all have been accounted for, Brenda Grey, a public information officer for the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, said in a telephone interview today.
The last group, 11 people in two families, have been located, Grey said. Authorities were still checking hiking registries and permits, but "we remain confident no one is in danger," she said.
michael.muskal@latimes.com
