Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Eleven die as tropical storm batters Florida again

Sadie Gray
Saturday 23 August 2008 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Eleven people have died in Florida in havoc wreaked by tropical storm Fay, which has hit the state four times since arriving from the Gulf of Mexico on Monday.

Most storms pass through Florida within a couple of days but Fay has set a record by hitting land then retreating out to sea four times, most recently yesterday, when 20ins of rain fell in some areas and others were raked by 45mph winds.

Among the deaths, at least three people were thought to have been killed in road accidents caused by the weather, and two drowned in heavy surf.

An electrician was killed as he worked to restore the supply after a powercut, and another man died of carbon monoxide poisoning as he tested generators shortly before the storm hit.

Fay has also flooded houses, destroyed crops and caused state governor Charlie Crist to appeal to the White House to declare the storm a major disaster. Florida's east coast has suffered widespread flooding, especially around Jacksonville.

Weather forecasters said that by today the storm should have moved on to the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama. However, Fay has not increased in severity to the degree that it can be called a hurricane.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in