Florida Keys evacuated as tropical storm nears Bahamas

Officials ordered residents evacuated from the lower Florida Keys today as Tropical Storm Rita churned toward the exposed island chain, bringing with it a potential 8-foot storm surge.

The evacuation covers 40,000 residents as the weather was expected to deteriorate throughout today as the first rain bands approached. Visitors had been ordered out of the Keys on yesterday.

The entire Keys was under a hurricane warning, meaning hurricane force winds were expected within 36 hours, and the Miami area was under a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch.

Rainfall totals of 6 to 15 inches were possible in the Keys, with 3 to 5 inches possible across southern Florida. Storm surges of 6 to 8 feet above normal tide levels were predicted.