MIAMI -- Tropical Storm Fay is now on shore off the southern coast of Cuba, lashing the island with heavy rains and winds.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Havana and eastward. Nearly 5,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying communities. Fishing boats have been pulled out of the water, and temporary shelters and food distribution centers have been set up.

At 5 a.m. Tropical Storm Fay is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph with winds speeds of 50 mph. The storm is about 110 miles from Key West.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for all of South Florida. The watch is in effect until Tuesday evening.

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A hurricane watch on the west coast of Florida is extended northward to Tarpon Springs. A hurricane watch is in effect for the Florida Keys from South Ocean Reef to Key West, including the Dry Tortugas and Florida Bay. and along the mainland from Card Sound Bridge westward to Tarpon Springs.

A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours.

Key West Prepares For Tropical Storm Fay

A tropical storm warning is in effect along the Florida east coast from Jupiter inlet southward and along the Florida west coast from Bonita Beach southward, including Lake Okeechobee.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.

The center of Fay should be emerging into the Florida Straits early Monday morning and be very near the Florida Keys Monday night.

The storm is forecast to be approaching hurricane strength in the Florida Keys and become a hurricane before it reaches the Florida peninsula.

Officials in Monroe County have issued a mandatory evacuation for tourists in the Keys.

In order to help facilitate evacuation from the Florida Keys, tolls are suspended until further notice on the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike, northbound only, from Milepost 0 in Florida City to the Miramar Toll Plaza at Milepost 47 at the Miami-Dade/Broward County line.

Schools in Monroe County will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.

The county sheriff's office said that four shelters in Monroe County are now open. For shelter information in Monroe County, click here.

For information on Monroe County’s specific alerts and guidelines during Tropical Storm Fay, click here.

Miami-Dade and Broward County schools will be closed on Monday.

For updates on school closings in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, visit:

Miami-Dade Schools Web Site.

Broward County Schools Web Site.

On Saturday, Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency for Florida due to the threat of Tropical Storm Fay. Florida officials said a state of emergency is standard procedure in these circumstances.

To find out what this means, click here.

Crist Declares State Of Emergency For Florida

If you have questions about the storm, click here to ask Max.