Tropical Storm expected to effect Florida

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

Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to cross over Florida on Thursday.

At 5:00 AM EDT the center of Tropical Depression Nine was located about 300 miles west of Key West. The depression is moving toward the west near 7 mph. The system is expected to begin to turn to the north later today and to the northeast on Wednesday.

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.

The depression is expected to produce additional rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches over western Cuba through Wednesday, with maximum storm total amounts up to 12 inches. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Storm total rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are possible over much of the Florida peninsula through Friday morning, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches possible. This rainfall may cause flooding and flash flooding.

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