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Tropical Storm Erika Could Hit Florida As Hurricane

The National Weather Service has issued an update for Tropical Storm Erika and warns that it could develop into hurricane strength by the time it reaches Florida.

A radar image of Tropical Storm Erika as it treks Northwest toward the U.S.

A radar image of Tropical Storm Erika as it treks Northwest toward the U.S.

Photo Credit: NOAA

According to the NWS storm watch website, Erika may strike Florida by 2 a.m. Saturday.

The storm is producing heavy rain over portions of the Leeward Islands, which will spread over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today. Total rainfall accumulations will be 4 to 8 inches, with maximum amounts of 12 inches, which could produce flash floods and mud slides in those areas.

No significant change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. There is unusually high uncertainty in the forecast intensity, especially for the next three to five days.

More than 12 inches of rain has fallen in Dominica, with reports of fatalities.

A Tropical Storm Warning continues for Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to the border of Haiti. 

A tropical storm watch continues for Guadeloupe, the Southeast Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph.

Click here to get the latest on this tropical cyclone by visiting the NHC website.

For timely updates on Tropical Storm Erika, click here.

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