(Miami, FL) -- A tropical storm warning is being issued in Florida ahead of potential Tropical Storm Debby. The National Hurricane Center says the system is currently a tropical depression as it dumps rain over parts of Cuba and the southern Bahamas, and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm by Saturday night.
Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts.
A tropical storm warning is now in effect along Florida's west coast, where the storm is expected to produce heavy rainfall, storm-force winds, and coastal flooding for several days.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Aucilla River to Yankeetown
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* The Dry Tortugas
* West coast of the Florida peninsula from south of Yankeetown to East Cape Sable
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* The Florida Keys south of the Channel 5 Bridge
* West of the Aucilla River to the Ochlockonee River
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Bonita Beach northward to the Aucilla River, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor