PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Tropical Depression 19 became Tropical Storm Sally on Saturday, the earliest named "S" storm in recorded hurricane season history.
The storm made landfall near Black Point Marina early Saturday, -bringing with it high winds and heavy rainfall.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s latest advisory at 11 p.m. stated that maximum sustained winds remained near 40 mph with higher guests. Additional strengthening is expected over the next few days and Sally is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane by 8 p.m. Monday.
Sally is forecast to move through the Gulf and make landfall Monday evening along the Louisiana-Mississippi border as a low-level hurricane.
At 11 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Sally was located about 70 miles southwest of Port Charlotte, Florida. Wind gusts with tropical storm force strength are possible across the southern peninsula Saturday.
Sally moved across South Florida, snapping tree limbs and spreading debris across the lanes of traffic in Cutler Bay.
In Hollywood, drivers were forced to maneuver through flooded streets while debris lined the sidewalks.
Along South Florida’s beaches, red flags flew outside of lifeguard stands as the surf picked up.
Flooding issues were giving drivers headaches in the Florida Keys as well.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 80 miles south and southeast of the center, just to the south of the Florida Keys.
The worst of the weather currently in South Florida is on the south and east side, right over the Keys/East Coast Metro.
Sally is currently located just off the Gulf coast off southern Florida near Naples and is moving west-northwest at 8 mph.
The National Weather Service in Miami has issued a flood watch for all of South Florida and warns of the high risk of rip currents for all Atlantic beaches. Isolated tornadoes are also possible in the area today. The main concerns are the potential for heavy rainfall, isolated tornadoes, lightning and gusty winds.
Rain bands will come in and out of South Florida on Saturday. Cutler Bay and Homestead saw heavy rains overnight and it will continue into today.
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:
- Mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama/Florida Border
- Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Borgne
- Mobile Bay
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- Grand Isle Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border
- Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas including metropolitan New Orleans
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- Alabama/Florida Border to Ochlockonee River Florida
According to Local 10 Weather Authority meteorologist Brandon Orr, expect plenty of rain into Saturday evening.
The system is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches, according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, across west-central and south Florida, including the Florida Keys, through Sunday. Since minor flooding is possible, the South Florida Water Management District was working Friday to bring the water level down in canals.
The National Hurricane Center is also tracking Hurricane Paulette, Tropical Storm Rene and newly formed Tropical Depression Twenty in the Atlantic.
ALSO SEE
- Complete coverage on the Local 10 Weather Authority Page