Gulf Coast Braces for Tropical Storm Threat

The watch covers the coastline from the Ochlockonee River to the Florida-Alabama border. Forecasters said the storm could track toward Louisiana by midweek before moving inland. Confidence in the track is low because small changes could alter how much of the storm interacts with land.

The biggest risk is rainfall. The NHC expects 2 to 4 inches across much of the eastern and central Gulf Coast, with localized amounts higher. Flash flooding is possible in urban areas and places with poor drainage. Tropical-storm-force gusts could arrive ahead of the center late Monday, and 1 to 3 feet of storm surge is forecast.

Officials said actual flooding will depend on the timing of high tide. The NHC urged residents across the Gulf Coast to closely monitor future advisories.