Tropical Storm Gordon threatens South Florida

Weather forecasters have issued storm warnings for portions of South Florida and the Florida Keys.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday that Tropical Storm Gordon is likely to batter the region with heavy rains. A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for a portion of the Mississippi-Alabama border.

The centre said in its 8:30 a.m. EDT advisory that the storm was centred 20 miles (30 kilometres) west of Key Largo and 85 miles (135 kilometres) southeast of Marco Island.

The storm was moving west-northwest at 17 mph (28 kph). Maximum sustained winds were clocked at 45 mph (75 kph).