Hermine downgraded to tropical storm

Hurricane Hermine was downgraded to a tropical storm hours after making landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast early Friday morning.

Hermine was upgraded to a hurricane on Thursday afternoon -- and by 8 p.m., the hurricane was packing winds of 80 mph. Hurricane Hermine made landfall south/southeast of Tallahassee, just east of St. Marks, between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Friday. Just before 5 a.m. Friday, Hermine was downgraded to a tropical storm.

First Alert Meteorologist Mike Buresh said Hermine was expected to bring heavy rain, wind and the possibility of tornados and waterspouts to Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

Hermine was also expected to bring the opportunity for an isolated waterspout or quick-to-develop tornado threat.

On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for more than 50 Florida counties, including all of Northeast Florida. (READ THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION)

A local state of emergency was declared in Duval, St. Johns and Nassau counties ahead of landfall. The state of emergency for Duval County ended Friday afternoon.

A high rip current risk and building seas and surf are already present off the coast.

All counties in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia have canceled Friday classes.

Related: Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia prepares for Tropical Storm Hermine

Cox Media Group