Heavy rains and winds reaching 60 mph are hitting the west coast of south Florida, from the Keys to the Tampa area, the National Hurricane Center reported on Thursday, according to CNN.
The first storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Andrea, is predicted to bring wind gusts that could reach up to hurricane force, which is 74 mph or stronger. The gusts are expected in the afternoon, but according to weather forecasters, the system won't approach hurricane-force over the water to strengthen into a hurricane until the center reaches the coast north of Tampa.
As of 8 a.m. Thursday, Andrea was 160 miles west of Tampa, and headed in a north-northeast direction at 14 mph.
The main threat from Andrea is torrential rain, which will cause flooding across the northern half of Florida. The west coast of the northern half is especially susceptible, with rainfall totals that could reach as high as six inches. The storm system could also cause weak tornadoes that break off from the main storm as it moves across the state.
Tornadoes that result from tropical storm systems are usually weak in comparison to the violent tornadoes that cause devastating damage, such as the recent ones in Oklahoma.
Andrea is expected to hit Tallahassee, and many residents are preparing.
Mike's Liquor and Beer Barn in Tallahassee received its delivery trucks earlier than usual on Wednesday morning.
"We'll see an upswing" in business during the morning, Mike, the owner, told CNN. "But I think it's not gonna be anything special, nothing real bad.
"It's been so long since Tallahassee had a storm," he continued. "Today, I think people are just now realizing it's coming."
The storm system is also expected to hit southeastern Georgia with as much as eight inches of rain in some areas, while the eastern parts of North and South Carolina may see up to four inches of rain, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"The combination of a storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters," the hurricane center said.
CNN weather report
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