NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Mayor Sally Mackay was keeping her fingers crossed just before midnight Tuesday that Tropical Storm Fay would not come back ashore any where near Southeast Volusia.
As of midnight, Fay was centered over Melbourne and headed in northeast direction at 7 mph slightly over the ocean with a chance of coming ashore right here in the next 24 hours.
Fay's devastation has already ben felt with a tornado touching down in Brevard County and sustained winds of 40-45 mph. At least 5,000 people in Brevard are without power at this hour.
Southeast Volusia is under a flood watch with a possibility of wind damage, especially if Fay slices back in, and that is Mackay's biggest fear.
"It depends whether this thing boomerangs," the mayor said of potential devastation, adding she's pleased it was a rather calm Tuesday with light rain bands throuout the day, though by 9 pm. winds had picked up.
"It's not as bad as it could be, but we need to be watchful," she said. "There's still a nasty storm out there."
Mackay said has has been in constant contact with city emergency personnel, adding, "We're ready; they're ready for what's ahead overnight. We've got a great P.D, a great fire department and a great public works."
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