TAVARES, FL (August 18, 2008) \u2013 Several Evangelical Covenant Churches in Florida are bracing for Tropical Storm Fay and its aftermath. The storm is expected to transform into a hurricane and hit the state sometime Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
Robert Owens, superintendent of the Southeast Conference, said Key Largo Community Covenant Church is in Fay\u2019s path.<\/p>\n
Although residents in the Florida Keys have been encouraged to evacuate, news reports said Key Largo remained sunny and calm. The National Hurricane Center, warned, however, that, \u201cPreparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark Andrews, pastor of Bridges Covenant Church in Tavares, doesn\u2019t think the hurricane will strike his area in central Florida, but high winds and rain are expected. As a result, he has canceled all church activities for the early part of the week.<\/p>\n
Local emergency agencies are most concerned about tornadoes that might develop as a result of the storm, says Andrews, who is chaplain for the Mount Dora Police and Fire Departments. The city\u2019s fire chief, Ronnie Snowberger, is a leader in the congregation as is another local firefighter, Charlie Godwin.<\/p>\n