System in Gulf upgraded to Tropical Storm Hermine

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center upgraded Tropical Depression Nine to Tropical Storm Hermine in its 2 p.m. advisory, and the system continued to strengthen since then.

Hurricane hunters observed top sustained winds of 45 mph in advance of the 5 p.m. advisory. The system was centered about 300 miles west of Southwest Florida and moving to the north-northeast at 7 mph.

Forecasts call for the system to make landfall late Thursday in the Florida panhandle.

Only minimal effects are expected to be felt in Southwest Florida. Slightly more rain than normal is on the way for Thursday, with 1 to 3 inches forecast to fall. It’ll be breezy, with winds out of the south at 20 to 25 mph and gusts of 30 mph or more. Tides will run about 1 to 3 feet above average.

Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 51 Florida counties in the path of the system Wednesday, including Manatee, Osceola and Sarasota counties. A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch is in effect for the Big Bend area.

Visit WINK News Hurricane Central for continued updates and to make sure you have what you need to be prepared for the effects of any tropical system.