Tropical Storm Katrina is 90 miles east of Fort Lauderdale. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say it could reach hurricane strength before making landfall late tonight or early tomorrow. Broward County recommends residents on barrier islands in the Fort Lauderdale area evacuate. The current path shows the storm passing south of Lake Okeechobee and entering the gulf of Mexico somewhere over Lee, Charlotte or Collier counties early Saturday. Jennifer Pralgo is a meteorologist with the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

“The Fort Myers area will probably get tropical storm force winds – maybe tropical depression strength – 30 to 40 miles an hour. But, the rainfall will definitely be an issue here. We’re looking at anywhere between 8 to 10 inches of rain.”

Southwest Florida Emergency Managers advise visitors and residents to make preparations for Tropical Storm Katrina. Expect sustained winds in the 55 to 70 miles per hour range, and more than 10 inches of rain. Localized flooding could be a major threat. A hurricane warning affects the southeastern Florida coast from Vero Beach to Florida City including Lake Okeechobee. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Florida's west coast, from Florida City to Englewood.