Hermine gets stronger - Hurricane status expected

The National Hurricane Center reports that Tropical Storm Hermine is now packing winds of 60 mph and is expected to become a Hurricane before making landfall.

At 500 AM EDT the center of Tropical Storm Hermine was 275 miles west of Tampa and moving northeast near 12 mph. The center of Hermine will be near the Florida coast in the warning area tonight or early Friday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles to the east of the center.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Suwannee River to Mexico Beach. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Anclote River to Suwannee River West of Mexico Beach to Destin.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Anclote River to Suwannee River West of Mexico Beach to Destin and Marineland to South Santee River. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for North of South Santee River to Surf City

The National Hurricane Center issue the next complete update at 11:00 AM EDT.