Florida Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Hanna

SAINT-MARC, Haiti (AP) - A state of emergency has been declared in Florida in case former Hurricane Hanna takes a bead on the state.

The governor's declaration will help with mobilizing emergency responders, if needed. But the storm's track is uncertain, and forecasters say the entire East Coast should keep close watch. Hanna is expected to turn toward the east coast of Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina in two to three days.

The storm slipped back to tropical storm strength while battering Haiti, which was also hit by Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Fay in the past two weeks. Forecasters say Hanna could become a hurricane again.

At least 13 deaths are reported in northern Haiti, plus flooding and mudslides. A U.N. official says the situation "is as bad as it can be."

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