Tropical Storm Emily formed early Monday morning about 50 miles west of Tampa. As of the 8 am advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the fifth named storm of the 2017 season had maximum winds up to 45 mph and was moving east at 8 mph. Little or no strengthening is expected before the storm comes ashore near Bradenton and Sarasota early this evening.
A Flood Watch has been issued for all coastal and inland counties along Florida's Sun Coast, including the Tampa Bay metro, Lakeland, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples and the west shore of Lake Okeechobee.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect through this evening from the Anclote River to Bonita Springs, which includes all of the Tampa Bay metro area, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Fort Myers. In the warned areas, wind gusts to 45 mph and minor coastal flooding are possible from waves of 5 to 7 feet and water levels 1 to 2 feet above normal tide.