Florida Gov. Requests Federal State of Emergency as Fay Pours Down
Aug 21, 2008
Insurance Journal--August 21, 2008
As Tropical Storm Fay remains relatively static over northeast Florida, a tropical storm warning remains in effect from Fort pierce, Florida to the border between Georgia and South Carolina.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist requested a federal emergency declaration in a letter to President Bush dated Aug. 20. Crist said Fay is producing historic flooding in several counties and that a total of 22 counties have experienced sustained tropical force winds for a few days, with some gusts reaching hurricane speed.
At 8 a.m. today (Aug. 21), Fay’s center was about 20 miles east of Daytona Beach and barely moved in the preceding few hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The NHC says Fay will move slowly toward the west-northwest later today and will continue in that direction over the next couple of days, possibly reaching the Florida panhandle by Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are holding at around 60 mph with higher gusts.
NHC predicts isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of northeastern Florida and southeastern Georgia.
Source: National Hurricane Center
Office of the Governor of Florida