(Miami, FL) -- A slow moving storm dumping heavy rain on south Florida could become the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says the storm is currently lingering just below the threshold of becoming a named storm. In a late bulletin last night, the National Hurricane Center said the system could become Tropical Storm Alex as early as this afternoon as it slowly churns out over the Atlantic off the south Florida coast. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for south Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas.
Meantime, the Miami area is experiencing flood conditions as a tropical rainstorm drenches south Florida. News video shows flooded streets in Miami-Dade County, and vehicles getting stranded in the deep water. Local reports say downtown Miami has recorded over seven inches of rain this morning. A flash flood watch has been issued for parts of Miami-Dade County until 9am Eastern.
Currently just over five-thousand homes are reporting power outages statewide.
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued for the west coast
of Florida north of Bonita Beach.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas
* Florida Bay
* West coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to Card Sound Bridge
* East coast of Florida south of the Volusia/Brevard County Line to Card Sound Bridge
* Lake Okeechobee
* Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, and Mayabeque
* Northwestern Bahamas
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Cuban provinces of Matanzas and the Isle of Youth