Tropical storm makes landfall in US

WASHINGTON - Tropical Storm Andrea, the first storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, made its landfall Thursday in Florida, United States, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The Center said in a bulletin that Andrea has made landfall along the Florida Big Bend, about 10 miles south of Steinhatchee. As of 5:45 pm Thursday afternoon, it had sustained maximum winds of 65 miles per hour (mph) and was moving to the northeast at a speed of 17 mph.

Vehicles drive down Shore Boulevard as wind and rain from Tropical Storm Andrea hit the Florida coast near Gulfport, Florida, June 6, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The storm is dumping heavy rain and spawning strong winds in Florida, but is expected to weaken as it moves inland. It is forecasted that Andrea will continue to move north up the East Coast Friday and Saturday.

The storm will likely bring heavy rain, brief gusty winds and a flooding risk from the southeast coast to New England. The National Weather Service has issued flood watches from Georgia to Maine.

The storm spawned at least seven tornadoes Thursday in Florida, according to reports. A tornado watch remained in effect for much of Florida late Thursday.

The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1, and ends on Nov 30.