Tropical Storm Gordon Forms, Batters South Florida and Keys With Wind and Rain

Miami was already bracing for a miserable Labor Day thanks to a tropical wave blowing out of the Caribbean. But as of 8:30 a.m., the National Hurricane Center says the weather is actually going to be worse than predicted – that wave has now formed into Tropical Storm Gordon over the upper Keys.

All of South Florida is now under a tropical storm warning. In the immediate future, hurricane forecasters say North Dade and Broward face winds up to 55 mph and stinging rain until 9:15 a.m. as a line of heavy storms tears through the area.

More damaging waves from Gordon will spin over the region throughout the day, and a flood watch is in effect until 11 p.m.

On Twitter, locals have spent the morning posting videos of the storm blasting Miami with downpours and heavy winds:

This wind and rain is intense #miami #flwx@OfficialJoelF pic.twitter.com/YLWCMhOsvR

— Ryan RC Rea (@volvoshine) September 3, 2018

Miami Beach as we speak (chat) #storm #Cyclone #Miami #beach #wind @carlitoj95 pic.twitter.com/uoHnx6boEE

— Carlos (@CRdeGR) September 3, 2018

Although the center of Gordon is technically over the Keys, Miami-Dade is taking the brunt of the storm this morning as its rotation slams storms into the coast:

You can track the center of Tropical Storm #Gordon on this radar loop courtesy of @SFWMD. A little past 8 it’s located west of Key Largo, skirting along the southernmost Everglades. The most active side of Gordon striking metro South Florida, but leaving #FLKeys unscathed. pic.twitter.com/SZKasqqpn8

— John Morales (@JohnMoralesNBC6) September 3, 2018

Forecasters expect Gordon to strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico this week. A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of the Alabama and Louisiana coastlines.