Tropical Storm Fay has hit the Florida Keys with heavy rain and winds after killing more than 50 people in the Caribbean.
The sixth storm of the 2008 Atlantic season did not reach hurricane strength before rolling across the vulnerable, low-lying Florida island chain with 97km/h winds.
Authorities have reported some flooding and minor damage but say they expect to invite tourists back to the area by Wednesday.
But forecasters believe there is a chance Fay will be at or near hurricane force - sustained winds of 119km/h - when it strikes the west coast of Florida later.
Although its path is far from US oil and gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, some energy companies have pulled workers from offshore platforms. Orange juice futures prices shot up on fears Fay could hit Florida's main citrus growing areas.
Authorities in the archipelago had ordered visitors to evacuate on Sunday, creating bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway out of the islands on the state's tip.
Fay knocked down some trees, signs and awnings but did not cause any significant damage, although several hundred homes are without power.
