The high probability that tropical storm Fay will turn into a hurricane as it crosses Cuba and hit Florida today determined state authorities to make the necessary preparations for the vicious winds and heavy rain showers that may follow.

Schools were closed and shelters were opened in Florida Keys, while tourists were advised to leave the area in anticipation of hurricane Fay. Key West International Airport also closed this morning.

Traffic on some roads intensified as tourists began to leave Key West and the Lower Keys as the sky was getting darker and darker. However, several locals and visitors as well seemed not to care about the warnings. Fiesta Key was one of the spots where traffic increased suddenly due to the hurricane watch issued by officials for the 150-mile chain of islands.

Yesterday, at 11 p.m. Miami time, the storm system was approximately 235 miles south-southeast of Key West, Florida, and 170 miles southeast of Havana, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Fay already made victims in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. As much as 50 people were killed in Haiti when the bus they were traveling in was swept away by a river swollen with rain from Fay. The bus was trying to cross a bridge when the deadly accident occurred.

Fay might make its presence felt in some parts of the Florida Keys and South Florida later today or early Tuesday. The powerful winds will probably pose the main threat, but flooding might also be a troublemaker for the region as most islands sit at sea level.

A mandatory evacuation order for tourists was issued by authorities of the Florida Keys. Those who already made plans to visit the area were advised to postpone or cancel them.

Tropical Storm Fay, the sixth of what seems to be a very busy Atlantic season, strengthened yesterday afternoon as it was heading for Cuba. It could reach hurricane strength when it reaches the island’s center, the National Weather Service said. At about 8 p.m. yesterday, the tropical storm’s maximum sustained winds were of about 50 mph.