Tropical Storm Rita Could Threaten Florida, Gulf

new tropical storm, Rita, strengthened overnight with winds of 60 mph and was forecast to move toward the Florida Keys later on Monday or Tuesday, possibly as a Category 1 hurricane, the Associated Press reported.

The storm was north of Cuba near the Bahamas and weather forecasters had it on a track to move into the Gulf of Mexico following its move eastward to Florida.

The Florida Keys region was under a hurricane warning and evacuations for visitors had already begun early Monday, news reports said.

Storm surges of 6 to 8 feet above normal tide levels were predicted to batter the Keys, AP reported.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) declared a state of emergency for Florida, which gives the state authority to oversee evacuations and activate the National Guard, among other powers, AP said.