| August 21, 2008 Fay is now 'catastrophic flooding event'
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(NECN/ABC) - Tropical Storm Fay is becoming a "catastrophic flooding event." Those are the words of Florida's Governor today, as the storm that won't go away inundated the state's northeast coast. Thousands of homes and businesses are without power and some evacuation have been necessary.
Click here for more of this morning's news conference.
Fay's center is now swirling over the Atlantic, after soaking central Florida.
"Welcome to Florida. This used to be all swamp, so it's getting to be back that way," says resident Dennis Despain.
At least one death in Florida has been attributed to the storm.
Catastrophic rains flooded hundreds of homes in Brevard and St. Lucie Counties, leaving some with up to five feet of standing water.
"It's very upsetting when you have stuff stored in here that you have had for years and years and you know it's going to be ruined," says home owner Linda Hefley.
The storm also spawned tornadoes, which ripped roofs from mobile homes.
"It's like something you see in the movies, or that happens to other people," says home owner Veronia Cambria.
Residents also dealt with some unlikely new neighbors -- alligators, snakes and other creatures forced them from their homes, by high water.
The storm could gather strength while stalled 20 miles east of Daytona Beach.
"We want every person, every tourist to be
a survivor," says Governor Crist.
Fay is forecast to come back ashore near the Florida-Georgia border, after drenching the Florida Keys, then the west coast.
ABC's Diana Alvear has the latest.
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