Tue Aug 31, 2004

By Jim Loney

Source Reuters.com

MIAMI (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Gaston raced out to sea on Tuesday after swamping Virginia and killing five people, while Hurricane Frances roared toward the Bahamas with 217 kph winds.

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner declared a state of emergency after Gaston dropped up to 14 inches of rain on central parts of the state. Floating cars and trucks smashed into buildings and nearly 180 roads were out of commission.