Tropical Storm Gordon: Warnings issued for parts of South Florida including the Keys

Gordon is expected to move towards the Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Gordon (NOAA via AP)

The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has issued a storm warning for parts of South Florida as Tropical Storm Gordon has formed near the Florida Keys on Monday morning.

The Centre warned that heavy rains are likely, noting the storm had sustained maximum winds of 45 miles per hour.

“Gordon is likely to brush the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula on Monday, before moving into the Gulf of Mexico,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller.

Tropical Storm Gordon is expected to bring "life-threatening storm surge" to portions of the central Gulf Coast, NHC stated. A hurricane watch has also been issued from Shell Beach, Louisiana to the Mississippi-Alabama border.

"Residents in these areas should listen to advice from their local officials and all preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," officials warned.

Officials have also warned that flash flooding could occur in Louisiana and the southern parts of Alabama and Mississippi, as a result of heavy rainfall caused by Gordon.

Gordon is forecast to pass over the Florida Keys on Monday and reach the northern Gulf Coast by Tuesday night.

Florida Governor Rick Scott encouraged residents and visitors to "remain vigilant" in a post published to Twitter on Sunday.

"With the peak of hurricane season upon us, now is the time to get prepared," he wrote. "Make sure that you and your family have a plan in place in case of disaster."

"It is possible that Gordon could peak as a Category 1 hurricane after 36 hours, just before landfall occurs," NHC stated in its warning. "For that reason, a Hurricane Watch has been issued for portions of the central Gulf Coast."