Fla. Keys Unfazed by Fay

Tropical storm carries 50 mph winds

(NEWSER) - Tourists were ordered to evacuate the Florida Keys this morning, as Tropical Storm Fay, which has already killed six in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, is expected to hit the Keys as soon as midnight tonight, the Miami Herald reports. With winds at 50mph and rising, Fay could be a Category 1 hurricane by the time it hits the Keys and heads for the west coast of the state, forecasters say. More»

Residents urged to stay put as Hurricane Ike menaces mainland

(NEWSER) - Hurricane Ike is now a Category 2 storm, and officials have rescinded orders to evacuate the Florida Keys, the Miami Herald reports. Residents still on the archipelago shouldn't go anywhere, and those who've already left are being asked not to return until after the storm passes. It's expected to continue battering Cuba today and tomorrow before proceeding toward the mainland. More»

Survivors stranded on rooftops beyond reach of aid workers

(NEWSER) - Impoverished Haiti is reeling from the devastation of a series of tropical storms and hurricanes, with refugees starving on rooftops in flood-ravaged areas, reports the Guardian. Faced with washed-out roads and winds too strong for helicopters, UN aide workers are using inflatable boats to reach at least some survivors. The storms have killed 136 in Haiti and left thousands homeless. More»

(AP) - Flooding from Tropical Storm Fay killed four people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and authorities warned Saturday that the storm could reach hurricane strength as it barreled toward Cuba. Florida's Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency and said Fay threatened the state with a "major disaster." Forecasters said Fay could bring hurricane-force winds to the Florida Keys as soon as Monday. More»

Storm will hit Bahamas next, probably miss Florida

(NEWSER) - Tropical Storm Noel hit Cuba today as its rains kept drenching the Dominican Republic and Haiti, CNN reports. The ex-hurricane's 40 mph winds and 5 to 15 inches of rain are expected to stay over Cuba tonight before moving north tomorrow. Forecasters say the storm will likely miss the US, but a tropical storm watch may apply to southeastern Florida. More»