Hundreds of Florida homes flooded

Emergency crews launched airboats into submerged streets to rescue central Florida residents trapped by rising floodwaters from a stalled Tropical Storm Fay, which soaked the state for a third consecutive day.

Fay formed over the weekend in the Atlantic and was blamed for 20 deaths in the Caribbean.

Fay skipped almost harmlessly over the island chain, but stalled over the peninsula on a second swing through Florida, where it did the most damage.

Yesterday, officials reported flooding in hundreds of homes in Brevard and St Lucie counties, some by up to 5ft of standing water. In three towns, rising waters backed up sewage systems. It was not immediately clear how many residents had been displaced or were stranded, but county officials reported making dozens of rescues.

Florida National Guard mobilised about a dozen guardsmen and some high-water vehicles to assist with damage assessment and help with evacuations, said Jon Myatt, spokesman for the Florida Department of Military Affairs.

By early today, the storm’s centre had moved over the Atlantic Ocean, and its winds were picking up speed.

Forecasters expected the storm to strengthen slightly before turning back towards the mainland, when it will probably hit Florida for the third time this week.

But National Hurricane Centre meteorologist Corey Walton said it was unlikely the storm would gain enough energy over the water to reach hurricane strength.

Forecasters originally expected Fay to energise over the ocean and possibly become a hurricane before landing in Florida for the third time later this week.

Tom Christopher, St Lucie County emergency management co-ordinator, said between 85 and 140 people were rescued by boat or high-clearance vehicle. He said no more were stranded, though other families seemed to be stuck without a way to leave.

At 4am Irish time today, the storm was just off Florida’s east coast, about 35 miles south east of Daytona Beach. Its maximum sustained winds were 60mph and it was expected to move slowly towards the north west overnight.

The rain was welcome in dry Florida and Georgia cropland, but could also hurt farmers’ production.

Forecasters predicted parts of northern Florida could get 10 to 15ins of rain, while southern Georgia could receive 3-6ins.

Before moving east, the storm flooded streets in Naples, downed trees and cut power to 95,000 homes and businesses. Tornadoes spawned by the storm damaged 51 homes in Brevard County, south east of Orlando. In the Keys, officials estimated 25,000 tourists evacuated.

In the Jacksonville area north of the flooding, officials prepared shelters and cleared drainage areas in anticipation the storm would jut left and drench residents there later this week. Schools were shut yesterday and today and mobile home residents were encouraged to find sturdier shelter.