Fay Fades From Florida, Leaves Little Damage, No Casualties

Florida, USA

Florida residents were all breathing a sigh of relief yesterday, when Tropical Storm Fay proved wet and windy, but far less severe than hurricanes of the past. In fact, Fay's milder gusts never even allowed her to achieve official hurricane status, and her tropical storm title was stripped as she continued up the continent.

Police, government, and state agencies had braced for the storm's arrival by imposing a curfew, closing schools, evacuating at-risk residents, and urging businesses to take the proper precautions to safeguard local buildings against damage. Those businesses that braced for the storm, took the opportunity to puff their chests and shake their fists at storms of the past, with plywood window covers painted with taunts such as "Pop Off Charley" and "Oh Wilma!" Other than minor debris and street flooding, however, there were neither casualties nor damages.

Even in Cuba and the Caribbean, where Fay's path had not yet been slowed by the US landmass, there was good news. A bus toppled by the storm where 30 passengers lives were unknown was met by U.N. peacekeepers who confirmed that 41 passengers had made it out safely.
As the 10.8 million people who fell within Fay's path waved her goodbye, life is back to normal. Evacuation orders have been lifted to the north of Tampa Bay, and state and government offices are scheduled to re-open. As Sally Bishop, Pinellas County emergency management director, put it on this August morning, "I think we're going to all enjoy a nice summer day."