Tropical Depression 9 Takes Aim at Florida

— -- A tropical depression has taken aim at Florida and is expected to become a tropical storm by tonight, bringing heavy rain to the Sunshine State over the next few days.

Tropical Depression 9 has brought torrential rains over West Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center. The tropical depression is currently about 170 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida, and 125 miles west-northwest of Havana, Cuba. Its maximum sustained winds are 35 miles per hour.

The depression is currently moving west at around 7 miles per hour, although it is forecast to turn in a west-northwest direction today and then head north on Tuesday night.

The depression is forecast to strengthen over the next 48 hours and is likely to become a tropical storm by tonight, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The depression is also expected to bring rain to the Southern Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys over the next few days. The rainfall may cause localized flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Meanwhile, a tropical storm watch is in effect for the coast of North Carolina from Cape Lookout to Oregon Inlet, according to the National Hurricane Center, as Tropical Depression 8 moves to the northwest. Tropical Depression 8 is bringing with it heavy rain over far Eastern North Carolina, including the Outer Banks. It has sustained winds of 35 miles per hour and is forecast to strengthen slightly.