T.S. Hermine upgraded to hurricane

Tropical Storm Hermine was upgraded to a hurricane on Thursday afternoon.

Northeast Florida is under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. tonight.

First Alert Meteorologist Mike Buresh says Hermine is expected to bring heavy rain, wind and the possibility of tornados and waterspouts to the Northeast Florida area.

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

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

Mayor Lenny Curry plans to declare a state of emergency in Duval at 5 p.m. Thursday.

St. Johns and Nassau counties declared a state of emergency for the county around on Thursday afternoon.

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

Several counties in our area have canceled after school activities on Thursday ahead of the storm.

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

The First Alert Weather Team has been closely monitoring the system for more than a week.

The tropical disturbance Invest 99L was upgraded to Tropical Depression 9 on Sunday and a tropical storm on Wednesday.

The next named storm will be called Ian.

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Related: First Alert Hurricane Center

Related: First Alert Interactive Radar

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