The Latest: Tropical Storm Emily nears Florida coast

MIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Tropical Storm Emily (all times local):

11 a.m.

Tropical Storm Emily is approaching the mouth of Tampa Bay on Florida’s Gulf Coast and heavy rainfall is expected in coming hours as the storm crosses the peninsula.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Emily was centered about 35 miles (55 kilometers) southwest of Tampa at 11 a.m. EDT Monday and moving to the east at 9 mph (15 kph). A tropical storm warning is in effect from Anclote River to Bonita Beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Forecasters say Emily should dump between 2 to 4 inches of rain through Monday night between the Tampa bay area and Naples, with isolated amounts up to 8 inches possible. Lesser amounts were predicted elsewhere in the region. The center says the storm could spin off a brief tornado or even isolated waterspouts over coastal waters of southwestern Florida.

The storm is expected to move inland and cross the Florida peninsula in coming hours and then move offshore of east-central Florida on the Atlantic coast by Tuesday morning.

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9 a.m.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott will be heading to the state’s Emergency Operations Center to get a briefing on Tropical Storm Emily.

The storm formed in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Tampa on Monday morning and is expected to move inland.

Scott said in a news release that residents of the affected areas should remain vigilant as the storm crosses central Florida, brining wind and rain to central and southern Florida.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the storm’s maximum sustained winds increased to near 45 mph (72 kph) on Monday morning, but the winds are expected to decrease as the system moves inland. It’s expected to cross the state and enter the Atlantic Ocean late Monday or early Tuesday.

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7:50 a.m.

Tropical Storm Emily has formed in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of west-central Florida and is expected to move inland across the peninsula.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says the storm’s maximum sustained winds increased Monday morning to near 45 mph (72 kph) but it’s expected to weaken do a tropical depression as it moves inland.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for a section of the Florida coast from the Anclote River to Bonita Beach.

The storm is centered about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west-southwest of Tampa and is moving east near 8 mph (13 kph). It’s expected to bring rain and wind to central and southern Florida.