Tropical Depression Nine coming to Florida

The National Hurricane Center is predicting Tropical Depression Nine will be upgraded Tropical Storm Hermine later today

Tropical Depression Nine is expected to cross over Florida later this week.

At 5:00 AM EDT the center of Tropical Depression Nine was located about 70 miles southwest of Key West. The depression is moving toward the west near 9 mph. The system is expected to begin to turn to the northwest later today.

Data from a NOAA reconnaissance aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Depression Nine is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over Cuba, with isolated amounts of 12 inches possible through Wednesday. These rains could cause

flash floods and mudslides. Total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are possible over the southern Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys through Wednesday. Isolated maximum amounts of 7

inches could occur over coastal areas of southern Florida and the Keys. This rainfall may cause flooding and flash flooding.

The National Hurricane Center will be issue an update at 11:00 AM EDT.