MIAMI -- Tropical Storm Fay has prompted a hurricane watch in the Florida Keys, and additional watches in portions of South Florida.
The center of the storm is about 571 miles from Orlando International Airport.
Fay remains on its track to hit the Florida mainland by Tuesday. By the time the storm hits, it could be a Category 1 hurricane.
Gov. Charlie Crist has already declared a state of emergency, saying if an evacuation order is given, Floridians should be ready.
"Floridians should prepare now for the tropical storm. Anytime you have a storm nearing the straits or the gulf, all coastal residents need to pay close attention to its progress," Crist said in a press conference Saturday. "Floridians should review their plans and follow the guidance of your local emergency management."
"Plans to evacuate should include tens of miles, if not hundreds, if an evacuation order is determined," Crist added. "Have a destination in mind before one would hit the road, and make sure to register with your local emergency management office if you have special needs."
Crist will be in the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee Sunday to monitor the storm's progress.
The storm is expected to cross Cuba today, where hurricane watches are already in place.
School is scheduled to start Monday for many in Central Florida, but with the uncertainty of Tropical Storm Fay, those plans could change.
In Orange County, school district officials told News 13 they are waiting to see what the storm does Sunday to make any decisions.
School district officials in Seminole, Osceola and Brevard counties are also monitoring the storm's path before making any decisions.
News 13 is still awaiting word from Volusia, Flagler, Lake, Sumter, Marion and Polk county school officials to see what plans they may have.
Fay Kills 4 In Haiti, Dominican Republic
Flooding from Tropical Storm Fay led to the deaths of four people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic Saturday.
One man died Saturday in Haiti while trying to cross a river. No further information was immediately available.
In neighboring Dominican Republic, a woman, 34, drowned when a family tried to cross a swollen river in a car, civil defense agency director Luis Luna Paulino said. The bodies of her missing niece, 13, and nephew, 5, were found Saturday afternoon, but her husband swam to safety.
11 a.m. Tropical Storm Advisory
Fay is moving west-northwestward south of Cuba. New warnings and watches are in effect in Florida.
At 11 a.m. EDT, the Hurricane Watch on the west coast of Florida is extended northward to Anna Maria Island.
A Hurricane Watch is in now effect for the Florida Keys, from south of Ocean Reef to Key West, including the Dry Tortugas and Florida Bay, and
along the Florida Mainland, from Card Sound bridge westward to Anna Maria Island.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.
A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for Cuba, from the provinces of La Habana and Ciudad de La Habana eastward to Sancti Spiritus.
At 11 a.m., a Tropical Storm Warning in in effect for the Florida Keys, from Craig Key westward to the Dry Tortugas, including Florida Bay. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Cuba, from the provinces of La Habana and Ciudad de La Habana eastward to Guantanamo, and also for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the southeast coast of Florida, from Ocean Reef northward to Jupiter Inlet, and for Lake Okeechobee. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.
At 11 a.m., the tropical storm watch is discontinued for the central Bahamas.
A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
Interests elsewhere in the Florida Peninsula and the northwestern Bahamas should monitor the progress of Fay.
At 11 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located near latitude 20.5 north, longitude 78.6 west, or about 75 miles southwest of Camaguey Cuba and about 350 miles southeast of Key West.
Fay is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph. A turn toward the northwest is expected later today or tonight, with a turn toward the north expected on Monday. Fay is expected to move near the South Coast of Cuba today, cross western Cuba overnight tonight or Monday morning, and move near the Florida Keys Monday night.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Fay could be approaching hurricane strength when it reaches western Cuba.
Although some weakening is likely as Fay crosses Cuba, Fay is expected to be near hurricane strength as it approaches the Florida Keys.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center. Cabo Cruz Cuba recently reported a wind gust of 66 mph.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb, or 29.62 inches.
Tides of 1 to 3 feet above normal are possible in the Tropical Storm Warning area in areas of onshore flow.
Fay is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over much of Cuba, Jamaica, and the northern Cayman Islands, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Rainfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are possible over Grand Cayman and over the central and southeastern Bahamas.
Heavy rain may begin to affect the Florida Keys and South Florida later today and into Monday. Rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches, with maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible for the Florida Keys and South Florida.
An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 2 p.m. EDT, followed by the next complete advisory at 5 p.m.
Track the paths of Tropical Storm Fay with our Hurricane Tracker and downloadable map, available at the News 13 Hurricane Center.
If Fay becomes a severe threat to Central Florida, do you plan to evacuate? Tell us in our exclusive News 13 Viewer Poll. Vote now, then e-mail your comments to viewerpoll@cfnews13.com.
Need help getting ready for a hurricane? News 13 on Demand, Bright House Networks Digital Cable Channel 313 has a Hurricane Center filled with vital information on what you can do to prepare for a storm. In the Severe Weather section, News 13's meteorologists show you how to be safe when a storm strikes.
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